| As boutique providers of upscale golf travel to | | | | course view from the drive to the club house alone is |
| exceptional destinations worldwide, we take the | | | | worth the trip.o Santana Golf is not a course you |
| opportunity from time to time to share our findings | | | | read so much about as it is new, but rest assured |
| regarding some of the great new courses in our | | | | that it is one of the most talked-about new golf |
| footprint, which covers the U.S. West Coast including | | | | courses in Spain. Set in the hills above the coast in a |
| the Pacific Northwest, Europe and Argentina, among | | | | beautiful, former avocado orchard, Santana is the |
| other dynamic destinations. One needs to be prudent | | | | young upstart of the Costa del Sol golf scene. This |
| when booking golf vacations outside the U.S. As you | | | | track blends a beautiful setting, quality design, |
| might also find with hotel properties, you simply can't | | | | attentive service and splendid conditioning to create a |
| believe everything you read in a guide book or on | | | | grand Spain golf experience. Santana Golf is easily |
| the Internet. Have you ever been to a hotel or | | | | walkable, employs water hazards and bunkers |
| resort that hasn't met your expectations or is living | | | | prudently and offers breathtaking views of the |
| on past glories? Probably so! That's why we | | | | surrounding mountains and the Mediterranean. The |
| personally play and inspect the courses we | | | | par-72, 7,000-yard Cabell Robinson design offers four |
| recommend to our upscale clientele. | | | | sets of tees so that you can bite off as much or as |
| In the past year, we have either played or inspected | | | | little as you desire of this wonderfully-diverse layout. |
| more than 40 golf courses in Spain and Portugal. | | | | If you are in the Costa del Sol, experience Santana |
| While Spain golf and Portugal golf experiences are | | | | while it is young and relatively undiscovered.o Finca |
| tops in the continent, what we found was surprising. | | | | Cortesin is another newcomer to the Costa del Sol. |
| Specifically, we uncovered some very strong new | | | | The course is located near the mountaintop "white |
| courses we had never heard of both in golf-rich | | | | village" of Casares, which looms like a beacon amidst |
| regions as well as provinces not known for golf. | | | | the majestic Sierra Bermeja mountain range. This |
| Additionally, we found some much-heralded courses | | | | new Spain golf course opened in early 2007 and is |
| that no longer make the grade, in our professional | | | | quickly making a name for itself as one of the best |
| opinion. With careful planning and expert counsel, your | | | | golf courses in all of Spain. The Cabell Robinson design |
| Spain golf vacation or Portugal golf vacation can be | | | | offers a challenging variety of holes, as evidenced by |
| the stuff of lifelong memories. | | | | the scenic par-4 13th that confronts the player with |
| So here are the unvarnished reviews of what we | | | | two water hazards, yet sooths with eye-pleasing |
| consider to be the top Destination Golf Courses in | | | | green complexes. As bonuses, the routing remains |
| Spain and Portgual. Our criteria are based on a U.S. | | | | unspoiled by development, the modern practice |
| perspective from the point of view of a golf | | | | facility is quite extensive and the customer service is |
| professional or scratch amateur (yes, I am a former | | | | absolutely among the best we have encountered in |
| PGA professional), which means we match our | | | | all of Spain. We suggest that you play this one |
| courses with the wishes and abilities of our guests as | | | | before the word gets out about one of the best |
| we place the highest value on the following course | | | | new Spain golf courses! |
| attributes:o Designo Conditioningo Serviceo Value | | | | Portugal Golf - Destination Golf Courses: |
| Spain Golf - Destination Golf Courses: | | | | As is the case with Spain golf, Portugal golf is much |
| When Americans and Brits think of Spain golf, they | | | | more than a slew of courses situated in one location, |
| naturally think of the Costa del Sol, which straddles | | | | which, in this case, is the Algarve. Sure the Algarve |
| the Mediterranean coast from Malaga to near | | | | has long been known for great golf and great |
| Gibraltar. Yes, some of the best golf courses lie in | | | | beaches! Quieter and less overbuilt than the Costa del |
| this year-round resort area, but golf in Spain is about | | | | Sol, the Algarve is experiencing a bit of a golf course |
| much more than the Costa del Sol. One can | | | | building boom. There are no fewer than 10 Algarve |
| experience championship golf in the Barcelona area, in | | | | golf courses either under construction or on the |
| Seville, and we even found very strong courses in | | | | books. But there also are some very strong golf |
| the Basque region (most notable are Izki Golf, a | | | | courses on or near the coast in Lisbon. Here's our |
| Ballesteros design, and Jose Maria Olazabal's Golf | | | | take on the best available Portugal golf experiences: |
| Artxanda). Here's our take on the best of the best | | | | Algarve Golfo Vilamoura-Old Course is the |
| of Spain golf: | | | | elder-statesman of golf in the Algarve. Owned by the |
| Barcelona Golfo RCG El Prat is the private, but | | | | Oceanico consortium, this landmark course was |
| accessible, Greg Norman-designed complex of 45 | | | | constructed in 1969 by Frank Pennink and has been |
| holes set in the upscale western suburbs of | | | | consistently refurbished over the years; however, it |
| Barcelona. As all of the nines were designed and | | | | has not lost its original and classic parkland charm. The |
| constructed simultaneously by the same architect, | | | | many umbrella pine trees that border the fairway |
| players can forge ten distinct 18-hole combinations | | | | corridors are definitely in play, the rolling landscape |
| that fit together seamlessly. As expected from | | | | challenges your club selection and the undulating |
| Norman, most fairways are reasonably wide, but | | | | greens test your short game, but all the difficulties |
| trouble lurks beyond their borders and approach | | | | are mitigated by meticulous grooming. Add to all that |
| shots challenge your iron skills. You will feel like a | | | | the soothing views of the surrounding hills down to |
| member for a day when you experience Real Club | | | | the coast. We love this property.o Monte Rei is a |
| de Golf El Prat. This is a lovely setting and very | | | | course that you definitely will hear quite a bit about if |
| relaxing getaway from the energy of Barcelona.o | | | | it hasn't already come to your attention. This |
| PGA Golf de Catalunya is one of several properties | | | | delightful new Jack Nicklaus design, located in a |
| owned and operated by the PGA European Tour, | | | | pristine natural setting in the eastern Algarve not far |
| and is the only one in Spain. It's easy to fall in the | | | | from the border with Spain, is winning the hearts of |
| love with this place that is located in the Costa Brava | | | | all those who play it. The first of two Jack Nicklaus |
| ("Wild Coast"), just 75 minutes from Barcelona. There | | | | Signature golf courses, Monte Rei North, opened in |
| are two courses on the site, Green and Red, with | | | | 2007 to rave reviews. The second is in the advanced |
| the Green being the longer and stronger test of the | | | | stages of construction. Nicklaus has utilized the natural |
| duo. The Green is a big, tournament-ready course | | | | landscapes to sculpt a unique layout of approximately |
| nestled in the forest just a bit inland from the Costa | | | | 7,200 yards, with eight par 4s, five par 3s and five |
| Brava shore. Mature "umbrella" pines and cork oaks | | | | par 5s - of these eighteen holes, water comes into |
| line the well-manicured fairways, and the smooth but | | | | play on eleven. Monte Rei is a must-play on the |
| undulating greens will test one's short game. The | | | | Portugal golf scene, especially while it remains |
| Verde is simultaneously challenging and fun. There are | | | | somewhat undiscovered. That won't last long!o San |
| quite a few elevation changes on these tracks and | | | | Lorenzo Golf Club is located in the central Algarve, |
| the scenery is outstanding. There's just something | | | | which is the most developed part of the region. This |
| about those symmetrical umbrella pines that spells | | | | Joe Lee design undoubtedly is one of the best |
| relaxation. | | | | Portugal golf courses, as it combines a fabulously |
| Costa del Sol Golfo Valderrama arguably is the finest | | | | diverse layout with a gorgeous setting. You will likely |
| course in Continental Europe. The course is located in | | | | use every club in your bag as you traverse this track |
| the upscale Sotogrande development that includes | | | | of slightly less than 7,000 yards, and you will believe |
| some of the finest golf courses in Spain. Sotogrande | | | | that the scenery cannot get any better until you |
| is located approximately 45 minutes from Marbella, | | | | reach the 17th and 18th holes, which are set in the |
| the gem of the Costa del Sol. Valderrama is literally a | | | | serenity of a bird reserve. On the downside, San |
| legend in mainland Europe, having hosted the 1997 | | | | Lorenzo gets quite a bit of play, but once you |
| Ryder Cup, the World Golf Championship and | | | | experience it, you will understand why. |
| countless Volvo Masters tournaments. That | | | | Lisbon Area Golfo Praia d'El Rey is links golf at its |
| tournament elevated the stature of Spain golf to | | | | best and ranks near the very top of the Portugal |
| completely new heights. This Robert Trent Jones, Sr. | | | | golf list of best courses. In 2003, Golf World ranked it |
| gem is a must-play for the serious golf enthusiast | | | | the 13th best course in Continental Europe, and we |
| touring the Costa del Sol. One can easily be | | | | do not argue the point. Cabell Robinson has done |
| distracted by the spectacular scenery and | | | | another masterful job creating a Portugal golf course |
| mesmerizing cork oaks that line the fairways, but this | | | | that exemplifies tasteful diversity. Ten holes meander |
| course demands your undivided attention. You can | | | | along the coast in a links fashion, as the other eight |
| measure yourself against the best players in the | | | | twist their way through a thinly-forested section. To |
| world as you tackle the infamous 17th. The service is | | | | top it off, all the holes offer strategic bunkering and |
| outstanding, the design is challenging and the | | | | quick greens with plenty of movement in them to |
| conditioning is nothing short of world class. This is | | | | keep your attention. There has been some recent |
| European golf at its very best and a must play for | | | | real estate development on the perimeter, but so |
| any Spain golf vacation! Maximum handicap: 24 Men; | | | | far, not so much as to destroy the ambiance. Praia |
| 36 Women.o Sotogrande is the granddaddy of Costa | | | | d'El Rey is Portugal golf at its best!o Oitavos Dunes is |
| del Sol golf and perhaps of Spain golf. Sotogrande is | | | | a newcomer to Portugal golf, having opened in 2001. |
| Valderrama's older and less-menacing sibling, located | | | | This Arthur Hills design is one of the most intriguing |
| at a lower elevation than most of the others courses | | | | that you will find anywhere and it reminds us quite a |
| on the Sotogrande property. Approximately ten | | | | bit of Bandon Dunes in Oregon. The design itself is |
| years the senior, she provides wider landing areas | | | | excellent, as the par-71 layout can stretch to more |
| and less intimidating greens complexes. Nevertheless, | | | | than 7,000 yards and the fast, undulating greens |
| the ever-present breeze is enough to heighten the | | | | challenge even those with the finest short games. |
| challenge on this nearly-seaside track. Although | | | | Add all of this to spectacular ocean vistas on one |
| Valderrama tends to overshadow it as the best of | | | | flank and mountain views on the other, and you get |
| Spain golf, Sotogrande remains one of the top five | | | | one very special property. You might not want to |
| venues in mainland Europe.o La Reserva is an | | | | worry about your score here, at least not after your |
| impeccably-maintained and relatively new private club | | | | first round, for the course's challenges and the |
| on the Sotogrande property. This Cabell Robinson | | | | distracting scenery can create some high numbers. |
| design stretches to more than 7,300 yards from the | | | | Oitavos Dunes is a great addition to the Portugal golf |
| back tees. Fortunately, there are four additional sets | | | | scene and is worth every additional stroke! |
| of tees from which to choose, so choose | | | | So that's our take on the best of the best of Spain |
| appropriately! La Reserva's length is somewhat | | | | golf and Portugal golf. The Ryder Cup at Valderrama |
| mitigated by meticulous grooming and generous | | | | in part contributed to a golf course construction |
| fairways and greens, so relax and enjoy the | | | | boom on the Iberian Peninsula. Thankfully, we'll be |
| wonderful Costa del Sol setting. Few courses offer | | | | back there soon to check out new courses such as |
| such incredible curb appeal. The course straddles the | | | | the second course at Monte Rei and Nick Faldo's |
| rolling hills of the Western Costa del Sol, making this | | | | Oceanico course, also in the Algarve. |
| one of the most beautiful golf courses in Spain. The | | | | |