Destination Golf Spain 2019 * | Page 93

Oliva Nova 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. Valencia » El Saler Opened in 1968, this is one of designer Javier Arana’s masterpieces. Each day brings a new course, not only meaning difficulty lies precisely in the wind and depends greatly on it. There are 95 natural bunkers around the course, designed without any alterations by course designers. This is true Mediterranean vegetation, in an oasis- like, protected nature reserve. The course record is still held by the German professional Bernhard Langer, who in the 1984 Spanish Open shot 62 strokes on way to victory. El Saler has hosted important national and international golf competitions in different categories, in particular the Spanish Open in 1984, 1989, 2001 and 2013, as well as the Seve Trophy in 2003. 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 » Escorpión Its 27 holes enable players to combine three different rounds, where technique and strength are the main features for success. The course is sheltered by a well-established and quiet forest and the presence of water at many of the holes is a special attraction to those who can’t resist a challenge. The nine traditional holes in the area around the Clubhouse are laid out on flat ground. Two lakes that make a pretty beautiful feature come into play at holes 6, 8 and 9. There is no water in this part of the course, but the impressive views of the Sierra Calerona are the main attraction here. 91