Destination Golf Spain 2016 * | Page 52

Club de Golf Valderrama Cadiz » San Roque (New) Opened in 2003, the second 18-hole course at San Roque Club, designed by Perry Dye and Severiano Ballesteros, has all the hallmarks to be immediately included in the elite of Europe´s golf facilities for its high quality and its impeccable finish and landscaping. It is, without doubt, far superior to many courses built in Spain and, indeed, in Europe. With this new addition to the resort, which already includes a magnificent, universally renowned course and a five-star hotel has become one of the premier golf centres in southern Europe. The company that owns the complex, Asahi Kanko, run by Japanese Shun Tezuka, has always maintained high standards, and taken special care in all its work and, in particular, with the natural surroundings. The New Course will have no homes in its immediate surroundings, so no building will interfere with play. Cadiz » Sanlúcar Located opposite the Doñana nature park, near where the Guadalquivir river enters the Atlantic, this course has 18 holes nine of which are links-style. These holes extend along the sea and are affected by the Atlantic winds. The other nine (open in October 2004) are American style, with seven holes affected by water hazards. The course is flat, and extends over 6.527 metres for professionals. The greens are wide. The complex includes a putting green and pitching green. 50 Cadiz » Valderrama Designed by Robert Trent Jones and lovingly tended by owner Jaime Ortiz Patiño this is one of the continents toughest challenges. You may return home shell-shocked but should be content with the thought that you are one of the few able to boast: ‘Valderrama? Yes, I’ve played there’. The 4th hole is a par five of spectacular beauty ending on a raised green by the side of which plunges a cascade of water on its way to the greenside lake. With recent improvements to the layout, Valderrama is in prime condition and Mr. Patiño only aims to make it better: the ‘Augusta of Europe’. Visitors are welcome but must book in advance. As you walk along the perfectly manicured fairways you quickly realise why it was officially voted as the #1 course in Europe. The list of prestigious events held here include the Ryder Cup: 1997 (the first ever held in Continental Europe), the WGC-American Express Championship: 1999, 2000 and the Volvo Masters: 1988-1996; 2002-2010. Cadiz » San Roque (Old) Opened in 1990, The San Roque Club has been host venue to the PGA European Tour Qualifying School and the Spanish Open in 2005. The complex is the result of combined efforts of designer Dave Thomas and Japanese owners Asahi Kanko. The philosophy behind the design was to provide a challenge acceptable for golfers of all ability and to construct a stadium course in anticipation of hosting major European championship events. The tricky 8th hole is often the cause of many lost shots while the 18th presents an exciting finish requiring a drive to the right avoiding water on the left then a long iron shot over a stream to the green, avoiding a lake on the right.