The new course, which was designed by Perry Dye, in collaboration with Seve Ballesteros, will compliment the existing San Roque 1 course, recently placed 52nd in Golf World‘s list of leading European courses.
It becomes the latest new course to be built in the “golden triangle” of Spanish golf that also includes Sotogrande and Valderamma.
The new Dye course has been built on undulating land, affording golfers panoramic views of the Guadalquiton River and the Mediterranean beyond. It has no less than five different tee positions on each hole, meaning that it measures 7,246 yards from the championship tees but a much more manageable 5,399 yards from the forward tees
“What we wanted to do was create a course that is a challenge for scratch and low handicap golfers but that is also not impossible for higher handicap golfers to enjoy,” said Dye, the designer of over 300 courses worldwide, 31 in Japan alone.
“To that end, we made sure that the fairways were generous and there was a wide choice of tees. But, even from the front, you cannot afford to be too wild because the resort’s signature cork trees line many of the fairways and water eats into several of the greens.”
Karl Braun, San Roque Club general manager, believes the new course will make a big impact on visiting golfers. “We have no doubt that San Roque II will soon become known as one of the very best courses on the Costa del Sol,” he said. “This area is blessed with several fine courses and San Roque II will stand out among the best of them.
“We are very excited about the forthcoming opening. The new course is a fantastic addition to the facilities at the San Roque Club and will re-affirm our position as one of the premier destinations for golfers coming to Spain”.
The San Roque Club has fixed a special introductory green fee of 120 euro (including cart) at the new Dye course. Tee times can be booked by calling + 34 956 613030.
Situated at the tip of the Iberian Peninsula, between Jerez and Marbella, San Roque is one of Europe’s most secluded and exclusive golfing resorts. In addition to its two fine golf courses, it also features the world’s first Seve Ballesteros Natural Golf School, run by Seve’s brother, Vincente, an elegant 5-star hotel built in the former home of the Domecq sherry dynasty, an equestrian centre and a wide range of other sporting facilities.
Perry Dye, the eldest son of Pete Dye, began his apprenticeship under his father at the age of 12. During his college years, he worked on the construction of such well-known courses as Oak Tree Golf Club in Edmond, Oklahoma and the Country Club of Colorado in Colorado Springs. Full-time work in golf course design and construction began in the 1980’s, with Plum Creek Golf & Country Club in Castle Rock, Colorado, Glenmoor Country Club in Englewood, Colorado, and Rancho Santa Fe Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California. Subsequently, he has completed other design projects in such diverse countries as Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Australia, Austria, Korea and Mexico.
San Roque www.sanroquegolf-resort.com
Dye Designs www.dyedesigns.com