Destination Golf Spain 2017 * | Page 36

T Golf & Country Club Poniente Mallorca » Vall D’or When it opened in 1985 Vall D’Or Golf was a nine-hole courses designed by Bill Bendy. His original nine holes, which now form the back nine, are set amongst a variety of trees; carob, olive, almond and, of course, pine trees and compared to the outward nine are very hilly. The holes that currently make up the first nine were designed by Bradford Benz and opened in 1993. They too are set amongst trees but mostly pines. However, in between the trees you get spectacular views of the Med. looking out towards the resorts of Porto Colom and Cala D’Or. Unlike the back nine which are very compact fairways, the opening nine holes are spread out more. The opening hole is a relatively easy par-3 but that is followed by a tough 330 metres par-4. Mallorca » Son Antem (West) Measuring a challenging 6293metres from the back tees, Son Antem Golf Club West Course is a relatively flat yet challenging course. Opened in 2001, this course is considered the most difficult of the two courses, due to its elevated greens, water hazards and tight fairways. Laid in the pristine Mallorca countryside, it offers a natural setting and spectacular view of the Randa mountain, with native wild life in abundance. The West Course is widely regarded as one of the finest golf courses on the Island of Mallorca. 34 Mallorca » Poniente One of Mallorca’s oldest courses, the John Harris course was opened in 1978 and is a well designed course that even the best of players find it hard to beat at times, but it remains a tough but fair course. The views from the 8th, and 16th holes are exhilarating and make you appreciate the beauty of this course, and it is hard to believe that you are only minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the thriving resort of Magalluf. The wide fairways are a feature of T Golf & Country Club Poniente, but don’t be fooled into thinking that makes the course any easier; they don’t, because many slope away unsuspectingly. The large greens are also devious at times. But the main hazards on this course are the many trees which line the fairways and have been home to many wayward tee shots. Mallorca » Son Antem (East) Son Antem Golf Club East Course offers golfers the chance to stay at one of Europe’s top hotels and at the same time play golf on two of Mallorca’s leading golf courses, as well as enjoy the other sporting facilities on offer at this purpose built sporting complex. This course opened in 1994 and is a championship course measuring 6,274 metres. It is laid out on what used to be hunting ground, and for that reason you will come across a wide variety of animals and birds during your round. A well designed golf course, the wide and long fairways allow the high-handicap player to recover from bad tee shots.