Destination Golf Spain 2018 * | Page 57

Desert Springs Resort Almeria » Almerimar Almerimar is considered one of the best golf courses in Spain. It is a Japanese owned complex which forms part of a resort development that boasts its own marina, hotel, apartments and other sporting facilities. Aiming to transform it into one of the most spectacular tourist resorts in Europe the owners are well on their way to fulfilling this pledge. From the drawing board of Gary Player the course offers wide fairways and large fast greens protected by a profusion of trees and plants that offer welcome shade in the hotter months. Well positioned sand traps and water feature at five holes, whilst one of the most challenging holes is the short 12th where the green is marooned in the centre of a lake giving a tee-short over 100 metres of water. Almeria » Desert Springs Inspired by the famous desert courses of Arizona & California, The Indiana course is built to full USGA specifications. A spectacular example of man’s creativity in harmony with nature; its emerald green fairways are set amongst massive rocky outcrops, arroyos and dry rivers. The contrast of the immaculate fairways and ‘desert springs’ with the arid landscape of cactus, rock and flowering desert, all framed within a panorama of landmark mountain ranges, is stunning at all times of year. Over 600.000 cacti and other desert plants grow progressively more dense and troubling, the further your shot is off the fairway, culminating in the dreaded ‘spiked lies’, so the course is both demanding and exhilarating and offers a variety of shot making challenges to test the skill level of every player, from the beginner to professional. Almeria » La Envia La Envía is the most recent 18 hole course to open in the province of Almería. It is located between El Parador and Enix, very close to the Almería-Adra highway. The layout has been designed for players who want to enjoy a pleasant round of golf rather than one fraught with difficulty and complications. It is not too long and there is no rough. However some holes do offer up more of a challenge, for example the 9th, a par four of 377 metres, and the 365 metre 14th amongst others. The par five 4th hole, at first sight, appears straightforward and two shots should be enough to reach the approach however a brilliant third is needed if a birdie is to be secured as the green has been designed in the shape of a volcano. The 17th and 18th greens are also tricky. Almeria » Aguilón Golf Opened in 2008, Aguilón Golf is a unique golf course internationally acclaimed as “ The Best Desert Course in Europe”. Designed by Stirling&Martin Golf Course Architects, Aguilón Golf is a spectacular design and out of the ordinary with more than 100 bunkers, 6 lakes and a large number of natural ravines that together make playing in this course an unforgettable experience. The integration into the natural topography and Sierra Aguilón mountains towering over you makes a game here quite breathtaking. Not least, eye catching views of the Bay of Pulpí make a perfect setting for this beautiful golf course. 55