Fuelling up on bananas at Tecina Golf, La Gomera
Buenavista Golf is situated at Buenavista de la Norte in the
extreme north western corner of the island and getting
there from Costa Adeje is all part of the golfing adventure.
The roads on Tenerife, just like on La Gomera are often
narrow, steep and undulating and can take longer than
expected to navigate, so its best to allow plenty of time
to get there, especially if like us you decide to go the
infamous Masca route on the TF-436 from Santiago del
Teide.
The road runs through the Teno Rural Park, an unbelievably
surreal setting with extremely rugged terrain. If you go this
way (there’s an alternative way to come back), don’t forget
to take you travel sickness pills first and buckle in for one
of the world’s craziest road trips with more twists and
turns than the back-nine at Augusta on Masters Sunday.
One of the appealing aspects of golf is that courses are
often to be found in some fabulous settings – and the
scenery and backdrop of Buenavista’s 18 hole, par 72 (6019
metres) layout certainly doesn’t disappoint. The course
features six par-3s, six par-4s and six par-5s, and Seve has
used the fabulous clifftop location to craft some dramatic
holes with five greens set tight to the rocky coastline. A
classic hole is the 221-metre par-3 15th with the Atlantic
crashing onto dark jagged rocks beyond the green. While
you play, keep an eye out for Seve’s trademark in the form
of an ‘S’ bunker on the par-5 10 th hole.
Par-414th, Salobre New Course, Gran Canaria
Buenavista Golf offers buggy, trolley and club hire, two
practice putting greens and a chipping area, and it’s well
worth allowing time for a pre-round coffee or post-round
beer from the clubhouse terrace with impressive views
over the course and Atlantic Ocean. Buenavista may be a
little off the beaten track – but its well worth the extra
effort to include it on your golf schedule.
The third course of our golf trip is Tenerife’s best –
Abama, and a serious contender for the Canaries number
one. Admittedly you need deep pockets to play and
consequently this Canaries jewel receives a relatively
small amount of traffic, but this all adds to the exclusive
experience. With a driving range to die for and tee blocks
that look good enough to putt on, we know we are in for
a treat.
This Dave Thomas design rambles over 6,271 metres of
ever-changing terrain with dramatic elevation changes, 22
lakes linked by impressive waterfalls, white-sand bunkers
and 25,000 palm trees. On the back nine you play your way
around the distinctly ochre-coloured Moroccan inspired
hotel, starting with a superb par-5 played from an elevated
tee.
Abama is a serious test for club golfers and we are both
well over our handicaps walking off the final green. If you
can steer you ball into the right positions, it’s the slick and
Volume 4 • Issue 49
19