Spanish style at The Abama Golf Resort

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Spain's Canary islands, long popular with Northern Europeans as a summer beach escape from the cooler, damper climates of their homelands, remain little known to American travelers. Easily reached by air from mainland Spain and most major European cities, these charming islands are just as accessible from Miami, by a new, non-stop flight, operated by Air Europa. Now Americans can discover the Canaries with their idyllic year round, spring-like climate, picture-postcard beauty and sophisticated tourism infrastructure, including a superb collection of true championship golf courses.

Tenerife's Abama Golf Resort voted one of Europe's top 10.

Water, water everywhere and it's one of Abama's prime defenses.

Abama is considered perhaps Dave Thomas' best design ever and he's designed some beauties.

Dramatic changes in elevation only add to the challenge.

And after golf a chance to regroup peacefully preparing for the next challenge.

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The standard of hotel accommodations ranks alongside the world's best; the local people are by nature warm, welcoming and more often than not, English speaking. Yet for all of their internationalism, the Canary Islands remain distinctly Spanish.

Of the seven islands making up this exotic chain, two share the enviable inventory of courses -- Gran Canaria and arguably the most attractive of the group, Tenerife. Filled with a diversity of good looks that belie the tiny 786 square miles the island occupies, it sits less than 100 miles off the North African coast, constantly cooled by the pleasant breezes of the Atlantic Trade Winds.

If Tenerife is the capital of Canary Island's golf, then The Abama Golf Resort & Spa must be the King. Named recently as one of the top ten golf resorts in Europe by the prestigious British publication, Golf World, this luxurious island retreat is about as perfect as any resort could ever be.

Set out in a private estate of 400 lush acres of peacefully quiet, southwest Tenerife coast, the resort is set out along a cliff top filled with spectacular ocean views. The Moorish inspired architecture is quite unusual, yet unobtrusive, melding perfectly into the surrounding landscape of mature tropical plantings as though it has stood here for a hundred years. Despite having more than 300 rooms in the main hotel, the spectacular design provides a constant feeling of intimacy, more akin to staying at an exclusive private club.

Small clusters of villas, each with its own private swimming pool, fan out from the main hotel, leading down to the private beach, a pristine expanse of brilliant white sand, complete with beach bar, restaurant and an array of water sports for those who have the desire.

The hotel rooms are extravagantly spacious and immaculately decorated with seemingly, no expense spared. A total of nine differently themed restaurants, assure everyone's taste buds will be satisfied and for those who want to take advantage of the opportunity to be pampered, a state of the art health and beauty spa awaits.

Focal point of the resort however, is Abama's championship golf course, a work of art designed by master golf architect, Dave Thomas. Hosting the European Tour's Tenerife Open within a year of its inauguration in 2005, the course found even greater fame the following year when it was the selected venue for The European Ladies Open. Now firmly established as a world-class layout, it seems the sky is the limit and this could be the course that brings the international recognition Tenerife's golf so richly deserves.

Over 25,000 mature palms and other tropical plantings were brought in to enhance this stunning layout, providing an especially lush, tropical feel. The twenty-two lakes only add to the distinctly exotic look while complicating the challenge, which Thomas builds into each of his designs. But the look and feeling is totally natural with none of the Disneyesque, artificiality common to many tropical designs. At Abama, the designer has paid particular attention to aesthetics and each hole is designed to provide a different view over the ocean and neighboring islets, while retaining a thoroughly rhythmic flow.

Be cautious, the views may be pretty and perhaps just a little deceiving - make no mistake, this is a course that takes itself very seriously and has no desire to be confused with any run-of-the-mill, holiday courses.

Measuring a healthy 6,857 yards from the tips, this is a tough layout and there is no shame in taking a forward tee position to bring the test within your own playing abilities and there are four tee positions to choose from.

Abama's defenses are a cunning arsenal that combines water, which comes into play on half of the holes, with expertly placed bunkers, both fairway and greenside. Adding to the examination are a number of tempting doglegs and elevation changes that are quite extraordinary. From its lowest point of 240 feet above sea level to a high of almost 1,000 feet above sea level, there are more up and downhill shots required, often on the same hole, than most will be accustomed to and more than enough to keep any golfer on their toes from start to finish. It's a relief to know that buggies are in plentiful supply.

Above all, Dave Thomas has come up with a handsome and remarkably intelligent design, filled with variety where the challenges are constantly changing. The player who does well will be the thinking golfer who can adapt quickly and not be too distracted by the scenery.

Play the course more than once and you will begin to grasp the subtle complexities built into this outstanding design, it will also provide an excuse to stay a few more days savoring the luxury of the wonderful Abama Resort. Should you need more reasons to linger longer, there are another half dozen excellent courses in the immediate area just calling out to be played.

For more ideas on how to enjoy the best of Spain's golf, click here.

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