GolfPlus - Nov 19 Digital Edition (Nov 19) | Page 62

66 G o l f P l u s
NOVEMBER
Valderrama Clubhouse
ut simply, there are
just far too many
quality
courses
amongst the fi ve-
dozen or so facilities
along the ribbon of
coastline of Southern
and
Southwestern
Spain to review.
Choosing a golf course, or range of courses
to play on the Costa del Sol depends a lot on
several factors, such as how competent a golfer
you and your party are (for high-handicappers,
playing a championship course can be at best, a
challenging, at worst, a miserable experience),
your expectations, your budget, time available
and whether you have a hire car at your
disposal.
Like any intensive golfi ng region of the
world, there’s a broad range of courses on
offer on the Costa del Sol, from a handful of
authentic championship courses, a multitude
of challenging, well-maintained courses tailor-
made for the mid-to-high handicap recreational
golfer to a number of less challenging – but
equally enjoyable - high-amenity courses,
some nine-hole, others 18, well suited to the
occasional golfer and families too.
Andalusia may no longer be able to boast
the #1 course in Spain – PGA Catalunya now
lays claim to that accolade - but a ‘Holy Trinity,’
of three well-known, exceptional, demanding -
and relatively expensive golf courses – exists,
namely Valderrama, Finca Cortesín and the
Real Club de Golf Sotogrande.
Valderrama is, without doubt, the ultimate
golfi ng experience, not only on the Costa
del Sol, but arguably also in Spain and even
continental Europe; it made its name as
the, ‘Augusta National of Europe,’ after a
major makeover by the celebrated US course
designer Robert Trent Jones Jnr, the owners’
ultimate dream, hosting the Ryder Cup, which
he achieved in 1997, becoming the fi rst venue
outside of the UK to host the biennial contest
between Europe and the USA, a ‘Home’ victory
under the inspired captaincy of swashbuckling
Spaniard, the late great Seve Ballesteros.
Valderrama, previously and subsequently,
made its name, established and enhanced
its reputation as the host venue for the then
European Tour fl agship, end-of-season
showpiece, the Volvo Masters, the course
remains the jewel in the crown of Andalusia
and the Costa del Sol. There is not a bad hole
on the 6,990-yard (6,392m) course, and many
exceptional ones, the undoubted signature
hole, the Par-5 17th, Los Gabilones, 535-yard
(490m), long, protracted drive and approach
onto an amphitheatre green protected by water
and sand, surely one of the fi nest holes in
world golf.
There is not a a giveaway shot to be had,
and danger lurks at every turn; water, thick
rough, strategically-placed bunkers, every club
in the bag, every shot in the golfer’s repertoire
is tested over a golf course where accuracy off
Travel
Fincacortesin Hotel Establishing
the tee is paramount. Small, saucer-like raised
greens add to the conundrum and Valderrama
is an authentic ‘thinking golfer’s golf course,’
which yields nothing, every successful shot
executed is hard-won and well-earned.
Valderrama is a proper, premium golf
club; exceptional course, always in pristine
condition, extensive practice facilities, classy
locker-rooms, a fi ve-star food and beverage
offer and, perhaps unusually for an exclusive
aristocrat of a club, warm and welcoming too.
It’s not cheap, US$400.00-plus in autumn and
spring, the best time of year to play given the
Costa del Sol’s searing summer temperatures,
and, a word of warning, Valderrama is no place
for the high-handicapper to be, as they will
record a very, very high number of shots for
their money.
Of the same vintage as Valderrama, if not
quite the same calibre, is the Real Club de Golf
Sotogrande, just 5km to the east of Valderrama,
close to the Urbanisation Parque San Roque,
which fronts onto the Mediterranean, although
Sotogrande is far from a links-style course. Also
designed by Trent Jones Jnr, Sotogrande It is a
different beast to Valderrama, wide fairways,
longer, at 7,099-yards, (6,492m), more open,
much more forgiving to the recreational golfer,
but still a very fi ne – and fair - test of golf,
especially when the wind blows.
Real Club de Golf Sotogrande was given
a signifi cant makeover, on-and-off the golf
course, in 2011 / 2012, increasing the size of
the greens by around 50%, and a refurbishment
of its award-winning clubhouse and extensive
pro-shop. Like Valderrama, Sotogrande is
priced in the premium range appropriate for
a quality course with fi rst-class facilities; for
2010, 18-holes midweek will cost €250.00
(Approx. US$275.00) midweek, €280.00
FINCA Cortesin Hotel Entrance DUSK
2019