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Golf |
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Inland from the coast, in
the fertile area where many roads are lined with orange and lemon groves,
can be found the “Golden Triangle” of golf courses:
Las
Ramblas,
Villamartin and
Real Campoamor. The new championship course of La Finca is only
fifteen minutes away and the famous La Manga Course can be reached in some
twenty-five minutes, making this area a real golfer’s paradise. About an
hour away is the new luxury resort of
Bonalba
The following extracts are from the excellent
The Globetrotter Golfer’s Guide to Spain by David J Whyte.
The Climate
“The climate in this area is more predictable than it is in other parts of
Spain. There is almost constant sunshine through most of the year and
cooling sea breezes during the hottest spells. By mid February, there is
heat in the sun and ideal golfing conditions prevail until early May.
October through to Christmas is also a popular period.”
Las Ramblas
~ Villamartin ~
Real Campoamor
~ Bonalba
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Las Ramblas |
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Course : 18 holes, 5770m/6310yd, par 72, SSS 71
Facilities : Clubhouse, driving range, buggy hire, hand trolley hire,
pitching and putting greens, practice bunker, golf tuition, club repair,
club rental, pro-shop, restaurant, bar, swimming pool, tennis court,
squash, fitness centre, showers, sauna
“Whoever decided to build a golf course through this tract of land must
have been imaginative. Las Ramblas works remarkably well and offers a
completely different test from its neighbours. It has a complicated layout
that rambles through humps, hillocks, deep ravines and rocky canyons with
lots of trees and, so as not to be too lenient, a lake. Coupled with tiny
greens, this course is a nightmare for beginners and the impetuous, so the
best way to approach Las Ramblas is simply to have fun. Having said that,
there is generally a safe route to most holes. Many are quite short so par
or even birdie is not impossible – if you can find your way to the
fairways and greens. Blind tee shots are always irksome, though, and there
are a few of these.
The 7th is an incredible dogleg par 4 over a deep canyon and onto a raised
green. Here, like most other holes, you have to place each shot with
absolute precision. Players that do so will begin to warm to this type of
game. The 10th is the most difficult par 3 to a small green with wind
often blowing through the canyon between. The 17th is the longest par 4,
but is more open. Las Ramblas is no walk-in-the-park, it is more of a
ramble or scramble through the woods. You will either hate it or love it –
depending how you play it.”
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For
more information on Las Ramblas click here.
To view
the Las Ramblas webcam click here.
Las Ramblas
~ Villamartin ~
Real Campoamor ~
Bonalba
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Villamartin |
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Course : 18 holes,
6132m/6706yd, par 72, SSS 72
Facilities : Clubhouse, driving range, buggy hire, hand and electric
trolley hire, putting green, practice bunker, glof classes, club rental,
pro-shop, restaurant, bar.
“This course has more of a classic layout than you tend to meet in the
area. It is not particularly long, but wonderful to play. Villamartin has
been established for nearly thirty years. On the downside, it’s facilities
are surprisingly rundown, the pathways from green to tee are quite rough
and the golf services almost non-existent. However, the overall character
of the course overcomes any quibbles about the peripheries.
Many holes require a drive and wedge, but both shots must be accurate. The
greens are beautiful, generally large and a joy to roll over. The 9th
plays over a frog pond with swallows swooping to catchflies. The 14th is a
remarkable par 5 with two canyons to carry. The 17th is a long par 3 well
over 200m/219yd from an elevated green across a valley to a small green –
a demanding prospect.
There is a good rhythm to the types of holes here, with a pleasant balance
of quiet, tree-lined fairways and then over onto more dangerous terrain.
Apart from the ancient buggies and cart paths that are rough and dusty,
players who know a good course when they play one will enjoy Villamartin’s
classic golf atmosphere”
For more information on Villamartin click here.
Las Ramblas
~ Villamartin ~
Real Campoamor ~
Bonalba
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Real Campoamor |
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Course : 18 holes, 6203m/6786yd, par 72, SSS 73
Facilities : Clubhouse, driving range, buggy hire, hand
and electric buggy hire, pitching and putting greens, practice bunker,
golf tuition, club repair, club rental, pro-shop, restaurant, bar and
showers.
“This is a visitor-friendly club with excellent facilities. Real
Campoamor’s brand new clubhouse perched on the highest point of the
property offers inspirational views. The course is comfortable for every
level of player; with wide open fairways and a dearth of hazards, even
beginners will not feel intimidated.
Awkward lies are the most common difficulty that you will encounter. The
course flows over rolling terrain so you are usually playing up or downill.
Thankfully, however, this does not include sideways-tilted fairways. A
variety of trees line most holes and help to define them. Apart from this
there is plenty of room, so a misdirected shot will be punished but rarely
lost.
Raised greens are another regular feature on this course. There is a stiff
rise at the 7th, which is a difficult par 5. The best advice is to play
for position on this and the rest of the back nine. The fairways tend to
be long and curving with several blind tree shots to negotiate. The best
hole is probably the 3rd, a par 4 that is long from the tee, driving
between two big cypress trees that are barely ten metres apart. The second
shot (if you’re got one) is a downhill carry to a bunker-surrounded green.
The 8th hole is another good drive from a high tee, with an excellent view
of the fairway.
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For more
information on Real Campoamor click here.
To view the Campoamor webcam click here.
Las Ramblas
~ Villamartin ~
Real Campoamor ~
Bonalba
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Bonalba |
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Course : 18 holes, 6367m/6936yd, par 72, SSS 72
This course is a
little exposed, especially on the back nine, but this probably adds to
its “big-hitter” appeal. From the tees it can be long and testing, but
there is a diversity of holes that keeps the course exciting. Each hole
presents a different characteristic. The front nine is more European
with lakes, trees and flowers, whereas the back nine is more spartan
with highs and lows and interesting views. Tree plantations will add to
the course’s appeal as they mature and come more into play.
The
5th is a par 5 that is reachable in two , but a lake in front
of the green makes you think twice. The 7th is the most
difficult hole. It is long, but impossible to take a driver off the tee
with a lateral water hazard ahead. Use a 3-iron for 183m/200yd and
another onto the green.
Bonalba’s greens can be fast, especially on the back nine. Although
from the back this can be a tester, there are good forward tee options
allowing everyone a pleasant round of golf to suit them.
Bonalba
Golf Club
03110 Muchamiel
Valencia
Tel : 965 97 05 11
Fax : 965 96 05 05
Locationb A7 – Alicante – Valncia exit 67 and signposted.
Facilities:
Paddle courts. Clubhouse, driving range, hand and electric trolley hire,
putting green, golf tuition, club repair, club rental, pro-shop,
restaurant, bar, tennis courts and showers.
For more information
on Bonalba click here.
Las Ramblas
~ Villamartin ~
Real Campoamor ~
Bonalba
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reservations@lasramblas.info Tel: 01273 301084
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