La Torre
Well what a way to start this series of articles because we have not only a course review but also deal of the week all in one go!
Let us start with deal of the week.
For those amongst us with deep pockets, short arms and a tight budget then this is the course for you because until the 28th February 2007 they have a special offer of only €32.50 for 18 holes of golf and an excellent buffet lunch.
Go fill your boots!
Now, to the course review.
Firstly given the infuriating lack of signposts to golf courses, how do we find the course?
From the AP7 take the C-3319 San Javier to (direction) Murcia road and you will pass the course on the left of the road.
Take the exit to El Garruchal and after 70 metres go around the traffic island and go back over the top of bridge crossing the C-3319 as far as the next island and turn left at the next island and follow signs for the urbanisation.
You will now be travelling along a service road running parallel to the C-3319 in the direction of San Javier.
After 1km the entrance to the urbanisation is to the right and after passing security turn left at the third traffic island and park in the clubhouse underground car park.
Easy really!
While some construction work is still underway the facilities are excellent and the staff are extremely friendly with the majority speaking good English.
Oh we really are lazy with our languages aren’t we!
The course is obviously in excellent condition, being new and the practise facilities are some of the best in the Murcian region.
A quick review of the scorecard would lead you to believe that you are in for an easy ride with a par of 68 and only 4981 metres from the yellow tees and 3884 metres from the ladies tees.
You could not be more wrong.
This is a typical Jack Nicklaus designed course and the danger is in the detail with water being strategically positioned, large areas of bunkers and waste land and small, fast and undulating greens with many dangerous pin positions making two putting a difficult task at times.
The two par five’s on the course are reachable in two shots by the longer hitters but the six par threes have to be handed with care because although relatively short by today’s standards they are well protected with water hazards right up to the apron of the greens.
The higher handicapper would be well advised to ‘bail out’ safe and left of the greens unless you like to chance your arm and that of lady lucky.
My only observation on the par three’s is that while being challenging, visually they all look very similar.
The golf course is relatively flat so is ideal for those amongst us who prefer to walk rather than take the lazy option of hiring a golf buggy, although at €35 per round you may forget this idea very quickly.
All of the greens have been built up with banks and hillocks surrounding them with well presented garden areas but a few more ‘next tee’ signs may prevent unwitting golfers trampling through these areas in search of the next tee.
After a thoroughly enjoyable round of golf in excellent company we retired to the clubhouse for superb buffet lunch served by friendly staff, which was part of the package price.
Interestingly enough when the special deal is not in place the cost of the meal alone is € 29 so that tells you how good it is.
In summary then whether you are a high or low handicapper of young or advancing years you will enjoy this golfing experience at the La Torre and it is an opportunity that you should not miss.
For more information on golf here on the Costa’s, courses, tuition or club repairs then you can contact me on 966 704 752 or e-mail
michael.probert@terra.es.
Until the next time.
Mike Probert
