Ranked
amongst the best golf resorts in the world, La Manga Club has three
championship golf courses.
The North and South Courses have been the setting for many major professional
tournaments:
Spanish Opens, PGA championships and qualifying schools, both for
ladies and for men.
La
Manga
South Course
Originally
designed by Robert D.Putman, this classic championship course was remodelled
in 1992 by Arnold Palmer who won the La Manga Spanish Open here in 1975.
Located
in the centre of the valley, with wide palm-fringed fairways and few hidden
dangers, the South, whilst being a top calibre championship course, is
enjoyed by golfers of all standards. Many strategically positioned water
hazards and bunkers will punish wayward shots.
The final hole is well within reach in two for the better player, giving
the average player a fair chance too when the wind is behind. Water right
and left make the drive a tough one, leaving you with the decision whether
to go for the carry over ravine some 75 metres short of the green. A
huge bunker will punish too short a shot.
North
Course
The North Course is more undulating than the
South and offers a different, yet no less challenging round of golf. Relying
on precision rather than length, an added challenge is provided by the
'barrancas' that snake their way through the course.
These
natural storm gullies feature on all three golf courses and add an extra
dimension to the game. As with the South Course, and particularly on the
back nine, water is a prominent feature.
An easy round-opening hole, bending very slightly to the left. From the
elevated tee you can see a generous fairway with bunkers on both sides
which should pose little problem. The large, flat green offers the first
birdie chance.
West Course
Set amid serene pine woodlands, the West Course
has frequent changes in elevation with which to contend. This is a deceiving
course that demands the occasional blind shot. A tight front nine contrasts
with the more open, but nonetheless challenging back nine.
Charming
and elusive, those who get the better of the West Course will have played
a memorable round.
The tee shot on the last par must be straight as trees await on both sides.