Destination Golf Spain 2017 * | Page 77

Montecastillo Gof Resort Cadiz » El Puerto Golf El Puerto course, placed in El Puerto de Santa María ( the very Heart of Cádiz bay), in Sanlúcar road, is conceived as an attractive 18 holes golf course suitable for all handicap players and prepared to become a venue for professional tournaments. It is designed by the champion Manuel Piñero, who treats provides a playable course with gentle undulations, that encourage the player to practice this sport. The amount of indigenous trees and the large extension of water sheet with 33.000 m2 stand out, taking into account the local depressions in order to create lakes and streams. In fact, it is an attractive 18 holes golf course, with 6300 metres in length and suitable for all handicap players. fairways. There is also a short par 3 co Cadiz » Sotogrande An old master among clubs on the coast, Royal Sotogrande, opened in 1964, is still one of Europe´s top ten courses. Known as Sotogrande ‘Old’ to differentiate it from its youngest neighbour Valderrama, the Robert Trent course is a private club which welcomes green fee paying visitors although they are advised to book in advance. As recognition during its thirtieth year Sotogrande was awarded the ‘Royal’ prefix. The layout has well- established vegetation with pine, cork oaks, eucalyptus and palm trees, and water hazards play an important role, affecting holes 12, 13 and 14, and 16 and 17. They seem to make the course longer than its 6,244 metres. The great consolidation is the total lack of rough on the immaculately groomed. Cadiz » La Estancia Designed by the Dutch architect Alan Rijks, the golf course is located on the Chiclana coast, approximately 2.75 kilometres from the Meliá Sancti Petri Hotel and the beach. It is 6,220 metres long, a par 72, and enclosed in natural surroundings featuring the beauty of Andalucia´s typical villages. The course is of very playable, with many obstacles - two lakes, two small streams and protected natural resources. The course is an excellent challenge for experienced players but also appropriate for beginners. The setting also features great ornithological and floral variety. Ancient olive trees have been planted to complement the many native and autochthonous trees, and a modern system of drainage, marble sand, etc., has been installed. Cadiz » Montecastillo Located next to the Grand Prix circuit near Jerez, Montecastillo opened in 1992. The official inauguration took place during the 1994 Turespaña Masters Open de Andalucía in which course designer Jack Nicklaus competed together with his sons Jackie and Gary. Following the Golden Bears preferences (‘I hate uphill lies’) Montecastillo is mostly flat. But where the terrain takes control a downhill course has been engineered. ‘I like to see what I´m getting’ is Nicklaus´ explanation. The 18th is one hole which proves the design philosophy. An elevated tee looks down forty metres over a broad sweep of fairway bordering a lake to the left with the green just beyond. 75