Destination Golf Spain 2017 * | Page 104

Club de Golf El Bosque Valencia » Manises This is the birthplace of golf in Valencia. It is a historic course with lots of attractive Mediterranean vegetation. In line with the original spirit of the course, designer Javeir Arana opened a new, remodelled course in 2008 following the expansion of Valencia International Airport. Manises is a jewel for both nature and golf lovers. It is a green lung for the population for Manises, but it has actually been in danger of been removed in different moments of its history. 10,000 trees, most of which are over 50 years old, protect the course from outside noise. Manises still has 9-holes with three par 3’s, three par 4’s and three par 5’s. Manises has produced some outstanding players. Tour professional Jose Manuel Lara is one of Manises major symbols. Valencia » La Galiana Have you ever fancied playing golf in the sun but been put off by courses being restricted to club members or only available at the most inconvenient times? Now there is a new championship course that promises golf for everyone, every day of the year: Opened in 2011, there will be no members at La Galiana. Instead, anyone can book green fees for the 18-hole, par 72 course. La Galiana enjoys a spectacular setting in a valley surrounded by pine and orange groves, isolated from residential areas. More than 5000 local species of plants and trees have been used for the landscaping, and water consumption will be minimised through a sophisticated rainwater collection and drainage system. 102 Valencia » El Bosque Robert Trent Jones Snr. created this marvellous green island out of barren terrain in the mid -1970s to give shape to one of the finest golf courses in Europe. It is built on the slopes of a large undulating valley, where the lie of the land poses serious problems for players. The design makes spectacular use of a privileged geographical location and the irregularity of the terrain. The gullies, lakes and the stream all come into play here. These water hazards provide the charm and often cause problems for golfers. Its 96 sand traps add to the difficulties from tee to green, as they are strategically placed to catch wayward drives along the fairway or bad approaches to the green. El Bosque has hosted quite a few tournaments on the European circuit. Valencia » Oliva Nova Oliva Nova was designed by Seve Ballesteros and developed on smooth and level ground, 200 meters away from the sea shore. At 6.300 meters it is a long course there are many tee options. Fairways are wide and generous, but water comes into play on 15 holes which provide a challenge as players approach the greens. “Seve’s revenge”, the par-3 6th is one of the toughest on the whole course. The Ballesteros designed course also has its own Amen Corner, comprising holes 13, 14 and 15, where strategies and wind directions are the determining factors in the choice of club to be used. Another Spanish golf wizard, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, set the record for the course in 1999 with a scorecard of 63 strokes, 9 under par.