‘Golf Course Review of the Month for February – Hacienda Del Alamo by Mike Probert (sponsored by Costa Blanca Green Fee Services).This month’s golf course review will concentrate on one of the more established golf resorts in Murcia, namely Hacienda del Alamo.
Introduction
The Hacienda Del Alamo golf resort was designed by Dave Thomas and is located close to the local village of Fuente Alamo in the centre of the region of Murcia with views of numerous fruit, almond and olive plantations but still less than a half hour drive from the City of Murcia and the nearest airport which is located at San Javier.
The golf course was designed by Dave Thomas and at 6,724 metres (7,400 yards) is claimed to be the longest golf course in Spain and currently boasts Ryder Cup player, Miguel Angel Jiminez as their golf ‘ambassador’ and he is also the course record holder with a fine 5-under par score of 67.
Location and Contact Details
Hacienda Del Alamo Golf Resort, Avenida Hacienda Del Alamo, 10-12,30320 Fuente Alamo, Murcia. Telephone: 00 34 902 654 400 or Fax: 00 34 902 654 401 or E-mail:
golfers@hdagolf.com Web-site:
www.clubdegolfhda.comDirections
Travelling on the AP7 leave the motorway at junction 790 to Los Alcazares (Centro) and head in the direction of Torre Pacheco, past Mar Menor Golf (on the right) as far as the large roundabout where you follow signs for the A30 (Murcia-Cartagena).At the next large roundabout take the exit signposted for the MU-602 Fuente Alamo and continue until you reach the junction signposted Hacienda del Alamo and then follow golf course signs.
Course and Clubhouse Facilities and Services
The facilities at Hacienda Del Alamo are as good as you will see on any resort in this part of Spain. The clubhouse is large in size with an upper veranda giving views over the putting green and the opening and closing holes and excellent bar, restaurant and changing facilities.
The course practise facilities are second to none with the golf academy comprising of a 36 bay, 2 tier driving range, 2 putting greens, practise bunker and a 6 hole practise course.
Prices
Public Green Fee (18 Holes) = €80*. Public Green Fee (9 Holes) = €45.
Academy Course (unlimited rounds per day) = €30.
*Discounted Green Fee rates are available from Costa Blanca Green Fee Services by calling 966 704 752 or 661 345 931 or e-mail
info@costa-blanca-greenfees.com.
Group and Society discounts of up to 50% are available for 15 players and more.
Course Review
This course is most definitely for the lower handicap and longer hitter amongst you although there is no punishing rough for the higher handicap players and ladies they will find themselves ‘thrashing’ away with long irons and fairway metal woods due to the overall length. Dave Thomas has given golfers of all standards something to think about with strategically placed bunkers and water hazards but the majority of the problems arise from the overall length of this 18 hole, par 72 course, which claims to be the longest in Spain at 6,724 metres from the competition tees. Newcomers to the course will be intrigued by the areas of ‘waste’ bunkers that line most fairways on which most unusually for most golf courses in Spain, there is no placing. Like many other courses in the region there are a number of water hazards (eight in total) and they are to be avoided at all costs and for the energetic golfers amongst you the course is relatively flat and not too difficult to walk. The opening holes appear to give you a gentle start to your round with a few birdie opportunities but you still have to ‘thread’ your tee shots between well placed bunkers which can actually become out of reach into the wind You need to take great care with your tee shot on the 6th hole which is a 388 metre (yellow tees),right to left uphill dog-leg over the crest of a hill because the out of bounds fence lies just off the right of the severely sloping fairway.
On the scorecard the par 3 8th hole has a generous stroke index of 3 but the hole is 190 metres long (yellow tees) the majority of which is over water to a huge undulating green and trust me you will be more than happy with a par here.
In general if you wish to play well on this course you must take the fairway bunkers out of play on the tee shots by playing short or taking them out of play ‘on the fly’ and then keeping the approach shot below the flags because many of the greens are large and undulating and very easy to 3 putt.
This article was written by Michael Probert who is the published author of a book called a Golfing Guide to Murcia and published by Lean Marketing and which is available on amazon.co.uk and more information on this book can be obtained by calling 966 704 752 or 661 345 931 or visit the web-site at
www.costa-blanca-greenfees.com.
