Destination Golf Spain 2018 * | Page 67

Melia Villaitana (Levante & Poniente) Alicante » Villamartín At 6,132 metres of the white tees, Villamartin is not excessively long but it has been adapted to the natural surroundings which can provide difficulties for wayward shots. Located in a river bed, the layout is quite varied without too many slopes. It has an abundance of Mediterranean vegetation and a thick grove, although these should rarely influence your game. The greens are quite large and once you avoid several obstacles like the natural cliffs and water hazards, Villamartin provides golfers with a good chance to beat their handicap. Alicante » Alicante Alicante Golf is located right along the shores of the Mediterranean and San Juan beach, only 5 minutes from Alicante City Centre. The wide tree lined fairways, all maintained with the greatest respect for environmental protection and use of water, are a breath of fresh air with residential area of La Condomina. Designed by Seve Ballesteros, it has a unique configuration of six Par3’s, six Par 4’s and six Par 5’s. On each nine, there are no two consecutive holes with the same par and no blind shots, making play more interesting. There are five large lakes, which come into play on twelve of the eighteen holes. An interesting feature of Alicante Golf is the approach shot to the 14th hole, where you have to play over the runs of “Villa Ferrer”, a Roman country house from 1 BC that was discovered during course construction. Alicante » Melia Villaitana (Levante & Poniente) With two 18-hole courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Levante and Poniente, the Villaitana Resort is a very popular option for golfers on the Costa Blanca. Both courses show Nicklaus’s unmistakable design and have the advantage of not being included in a real estate development. Over an area of more than 80 hectares, the US-style Championship Course, with wife fairways and exquisitely formed greens, and with a length of more than 6,6,12 metres, offers marvellous view of the Mediterranean and of the Finestrat mountains. Both courses show Nicklaus’s unmistakable design and have the advantage of not being included in a real estate development. 65