Thursday 5 March 2015 21:45, UK
We take a look at three of the best non-UK courses that caught our attention in 2014, from a classic links test to a couple of Mediterranean beauties.
Old Head of Kinsale, Cork, Ireland
Every serious golfer has a bucket list, that ambitious collection of must-play courses anywhere in the world which usually includes the likes of Augusta, St Andrews, Sawgrass and Wentworth.
But aside from the famous stretches of hallowed turf you see regularly on the television, there are hidden gems that should be on everybody’s “to do” list – and that applies to Old Head of Kinsale. Just a short drive from Cork airport, Old Head occupies 180 acres of the southern tip of the Ireland coast and boasts 18 of the most breathtaking holes you will find on God’s green earth.
The layout is as challenging as it is beautiful, although the difficulty is often decided by Mother Nature – the location being as vulnerable to the elements as any links course in the world. I happened to have the honour of playing Old Head at its most ferocious, winds gusting so hard that we had an aborted landing at Cork just a few feet from the tarmac.
I lost at least half-a-dozen balls, had to nail down my trolley on any exposed fairway, and I scored a paltry 21 points – but, crucially, I cared not a jot. It was golf at its toughest, and purest, and the setting could not have been better. I’ve often seen Old Head described as “the Pebble Beach” of Ireland, and for good reason.
The facilities are first class, and there’s certainly no shortage of the famous Irish hospitality – the warmest of welcomes on the gate, in the clubhouse and on the first tee.
The opening hole is a reasonably straight-forward par-four which might leave many wondering what all the fuss is about. But that will change as soon as you hole out and make your way to the second tee. The first of nine holes that run alongside the cliff edge, I challenge you to stand on the tee and not take a moment or two to soak up the scenery and appreciate where you are, what you are doing and what challenges lie ahead.
Once you get the second tee-shot out of the way (don’t go left!), I guarantee you will be in the mood to enjoy the remainder of your round no matter how well/badly you are playing.
The sensational course design offers the ultimate golfing variety, and it is always the sign of a great layout when some of the shorter, more innocuous-looking holes can often provide the biggest threats – depending on wind strength and direction.
The stand-out hole for me was the 17th, a long dogleg-left par-five usually playing downwind towards the lighthouse – aim left over the mounds, anything too far right will probably scuttle off over the clifftop and feed the ocean.
The positioning of the tee at the 18th will also prompt you to fire off one last photograph or three, and when you climb the steps from the final green back to the clubhouse, you really will have earned that Guinness.
For more information about golf in Ireland in 2015, visit http://www.ireland.com/en-gb/what-is-available/golf/ or if you are particularly interested in the Cork region, click on http://www.golf.discoverireland.ie/Search-Golf-Courses/Ireland/County/Cork/links-parkland/quality-assured#sr
Finca Cortesin, Costa del Sol, Spain
For those that prefer warmer climes, where better than the Costa del Sol region of Spain and two first-rate championship courses that caught our full attention this year.
The first, Finca Cortesin, has hosted the Volvo World Match Play three times and, despite being open for only seven years, already ranks as one of the premier courses in the country.
You will certainly need your long game to be in good order at this Cabell Robinson masterpiece measuring well in excess of 7,000 yards (although there are up to five tees to choose from), with some tees a fair trot from the previous green. A buggy is advisable.
The varied and beautifully-conditioned layout winds its way through the Estepona Mountains and is a visual treat as well as a stern test of every department – it is doubtful if there will be a club in your bag left untouched after 18 holes.
It is difficult to pick a few stand-out holes from such a superb collection, but the first to get your pulses racing will be the third – a belter of a risk-reward par-five with water in play down the left and in front of the green.
The long, downhill par-three 10th is another treat, and was one of the most popular holes for TV viewers tuning into the coverage of the World Match Play on Sky Sports, while the 11th is a double-dogleg par-five with a fantastic choice of tees.
But arguably the best hole at Finca Cortesin is the challenging par-four 13th, where you are required to clear water twice to reach the putting surface in regulation.
This really is a course where the words “take your medicine” could feature regularly, while the clubhouse and practice facilities – including a Jack Nicklaus Academy – are also of the highest quality.
La Reserva, Costa del Sol, Spain
Just down the road is another Cabell Robinson stunner. As soon as you arrive at La Reserva de Sotogrande, you can see why it was chosen to host last season’s NH Collection Open on the European Tour.
Be sure to make use of the magnificent clubhouse before heading to the practice area, where you have a choice of grass and astroturf to conduct your warm-ups.
Like Finca, the course is immaculately manicured, and you will struggle to find better greens anywhere in the region – maybe even Spain.
La Reserva is a big hit with former European Tour stalwart Santiago Luna, who says: “This course requires players to use every club in their bag. It is very entertaining and can be made easy or difficult. The course features wide fairways and greens, in addition to being very well contoured.”
There are more tree-lined fairways here, but the landing areas are wider and it is a 7,400-yard track (back tees) that can be tamed if you have a half-decent day with the big furniture from the tee.
Water is in play on half-a-dozen holes, none more so than the par-three sixth – a 240-yard monster with a lake to the left and the rear of the green.
The par-fives, in particular, are thoughtfully designed with a number of strategically-placed fairway bunkers ready to gobble up any errant drives, but smart, solid shots are generally rewarded.
The stand-out hole for me, and the one you will be warned about by the friendly, accommodating staff, is the daunting par-four 17th. It is a proper test of your mettle from the tee, with water right and bunkers and trees to your left.
The closing hole is a fitting climax, with an elevated green likely to catch out many, and you are almost-certain to feel you’ve had full value for your Euros no matter what your score.
So if your budget, or schedule, cannot accommodate a trip to 1997 Ryder Cup venue Valderrama, Finca Cortesin and La Reserva are just as good, just as challenging, and just as memorable.
And if you're searching for a hotel to match the quality of the golfing facilities, check out the Kempinski Hotal Bahia in Estepona. It's a superb base that specialises in golfing breaks, offering a wide range of accomodation, restaurants and activities. (http://www.kempinski.com/en/marbella/hotel-bahia/welcome/)
General manager Jean-Marc Poli and his first-class team will cater for your every need, making your stay as enjoyable as possible in one of the most popular golf destinations in the world.
Monarch, the scheduled leisure airline, operates flights to Malaga from Birmingham, East Midlands, London Gatwick, London Luton and Manchester airports with fares, including taxes, starting from £32.99 one way
For further information on Monarch flights, holidays and hotels, please visit www.monarch.co.uk
