The County Zone Golf Magazine Issue 3 | Page 37

T he most celebrated golf club on the island of Mallorca – Son Gual – has now been recognised as one of Spain’s finest after being nominated in the Spain’s Best Golf Course 2014 category for the 1st World Golf Awards, which will be held in Portugal later this year. The €30m masterpiece, located close to the capital of Palma, has received many admirers and accolades since opening in 2007, soaring sharply in the respected Continental Europe rankings for both Golf World magazine and Top 100 Courses. The Golf World judges heaped praise on the Thomas Himmeldesigned track, describing it as “one of the finest inland courses on the continent”, while 1991 Masters winner, Ian Woosnam, compared the greens to Augusta when he visited. Andreas Pamer, Son Gual’s dynamic general manager, said: “Everything we have created here – from the course design and maintenance to ISSUE 3 The County Zone SOUTH EAST the quality of practice facilities and service – has been with the focus of providing the best possible conditions for our members and guests to have a memorable and rewarding experience. “The dedication of my team to ensuring that these highest possible standards are upheld year after year is testament to our nomination for this prestigious global award. I hope we will be celebrating with them further in November!” Son Gual features large lakes, 66 bunkers, 800 olive trees – some more than a thousand years old – wild flowers in the rough areas and several vineyards around the course. Voting for the World Golf Awards is open until October 6 with the winners set to be crowned at a lavish gala ceremony at the Conrad Algarve, Quinta do Lago, on Saturday, November 15. • To vote for Son Gual, visit www.worldgolfawards. com/award/spain-best-golfcourse/2014 www.countyzonegolfmag.co.uk 37