Golf in Paradise isn't a dream on the islands of Madeira and Mallorca
By David Brice, Golf International Inc
There is a misconception among many seasoned golfers that any time you find a resort location including golf among its offerings, the golf courses will be mediocre -- average run of the mill courses, geared toward wannabe golfers and weekend hackers. Often politely referred to in politically correct terms such as "Holiday Golf" or "Resort Golf", too many serious golfers mistakenly think every layout located in or close to any resort will have no appeal for them.
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Generalizations are seldom accurate and in the case of the two islands highlighted in this week's accompanying article featuring Spain's Mediterranean island of Mallorca and Portugal's Atlantic island, Madeira, the resort golf myth couldn't be further from the reality.
As with many islands that enjoy idyllic year round climates and have a sophisticated infrastructure of hotels and other facilities for visitors, both could be categorized as Resort Islands. Golf is an important part of the infrastructure on both islands, but the golf courses on Madeira and Mallorca are a far cry from being your "average" Resort Courses. These are serious layouts, designed for serious golfers, with more than a fair share ranked alongside Europe's best. Check these few examples and you'll no doubt agree.
Porto Santo Golf, Porto Santo Island, Madeira: Seve Ballesteros may no longer play on The European Tour, but he is still very much involved in golf course design, a passion he has pursued for over 20 years. His masterly design at Porto Santo ranks as his best design ever and most believe it will eventually be accepted as one of Europe's top layouts. Located on one of the world's most enticing small islands and fronted by 6 miles of pristine, golden sand beach, there could be no more idyllic setting for a world-class layout. Demanding from start to finish, this creative design rewards the thinking golfer with a solid strategy but has little consideration for those with no understanding of golf's subtleties.
Measuring a shade over 7,000 yards from the tips, big hitters will have no advantage unless they are also accurate. Packed with variety ranging from links-like, cliff-top holes where cantankerous winds eagerly play havoc with every scorecard, to sea-level holes that wind a delicate path between water hazards, it's the thinking golfer with the ability to use every club in the bag who will have a successful round.
Palheiro Golf, Madeira: Enjoying a magnificent location, 2,500 feet high in the mountains overlooking Madeira's capital, any player distracted by the never-ending array of breathtaking views is doomed to failure on a course that demands attention from start to finish. A few blind holes and some other occasional oddities, bring complications to a design that was never intended to be a walk in the park. Fortunately, the thoughtful designer, Cabell Robinson, offers a number of different tee-positions to bring this beauty within reach of most golfers. So play to your ability, don't try to impress and you'll do just fine.
This is a course that leaves nobody indifferent and at the end of the round, it's impossible not to have an opinion, and fond memories of this layout in the clouds are all but guaranteed. Unless you have the stamina and agility of a mountain goat, take a buggie; it'll at least give you some time to enjoy the truly spectacular vistas.
Santo da Serra Golf Club, Madeira: This gem from Robert Trent Jones Jr., is not only the best in Madeira, but also ranked among the top 10 courses in all of Portugal. Permanent home to The European Tour's, Madeira Open, since the event was first held in 1993, it's a firm favorite with all who tackle this high flying mountain course, sitting over 2,000 feet above sea level. Robert Trent Jones Jr. used his tremendous imagination very effectively in this layout, which although it presents an ever-changing palette of difficulties, is always fair, though never easy.
The rough is thick, juicy and to be avoided at all costs; bunkers are a constant menace and always craftily placed and the greens are beautifully shaped, filled with undulations and never as straight forward as they seem at first glance. On the plus side there is only one water hazard on the entire course and the views of Madeira and the Atlantic Ocean are nothing less than stunning.
Club de Golf Alcanada, Mallorca: Just as Robert Trent Jones Jr., provided Madiera with its best course, so he has done the same for the Spanish island of Mallorca with Alcanada, an outstanding seaside layout that belongs on Spain's Top Ten listing.
Located on Alcudia Bay on the north side of the island and about a 45-minute drive from the capital, Trent Jones has produced a classic that will be savored by low handicappers and no doubt frustrate and confuse those of lesser abilities. This is a serious examination of skills for even the most accomplished golfer.
Measuring a hefty, 7,125 yards from the tips, there are par-4's in excess of 450 yards and par-5's of over 600 yards -- it's a big hitters delight, providing you stick to the prescribed path and avoid the thick rough or a meandering stream. A generous helping of almost 60 fairway and greenside bunkers litter the course and the greens are as difficult to hold as they are to read and filled with hidden breaks. With eye dazzling good looks as a bonus, Alcanada will be the highlight course of any visit to Mallorca.
Son Antem Golf, (West Course) Mallorca: This is a part of a large Marriott Resort, but while the East Course is a typical resort track, the West is a horse of an entirely different color and a real championship layout, good enough to test the best.
Stretching to 6,900 yards, long hitters will have something of an advantage, but with narrow, tree-lined fairways, precision must also be a part of the arsenal. Complicating matters further are three lakes that come into play on five holes. This is a technical course that delights in showing off the variety of challenges it offers. Allow your mind to stray from the ever-changing task at hand and you'll be fortunate to keep your score below 100. Adding to the fun are a number of elevated greens, tiered and filled with undulations, sometimes subtle and often not. Again, this is not a layout for beginners or high handicappers, but something the skilled player with the ability to use every club in the bag will find pushes them to the extreme.
Son Mutaner Golf, Mallorca: A part of the Son Vida estate and only a 10-minute drive from Palma, this is one of those layouts that reminds us all why we love golf. Some courses are designed to test, while others are designed to simply enjoy. Son Mutaner manages to achieve both of these objectives and might be Mallorca's most pleasurable layout of all.
Lined with mature almond, olive and pine trees, the setting has a calming, country garden like quality and on the first tee you understand why. The stiff dogleg right is an uncommonly tough opener and the second is no easier, in fact the first five holes run a contest to see which will upset players the most. Then just as you begin to accept this will be a daunting round, the course opens up, calm returns, the real enjoyment begins and doesn't let up until the 19th hole. Son Mutaner offers a unique but strangely wonderful experience that you're not going to forget for a long time to come.
Some resorts in this world may offer less than stellar golf courses, but certainly not Madeira and Mallorca, a couple of delightful islands that take their golf very seriously. For more ideas and suggestions on how to incorporate the best golf in Spain and Portugal into your vacation plans, click here.
©2008 David Brice / Golf International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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