The Region of Valencia, home to renowned golfers like Sergio Garcia, now has an even bigger and better range of golf courses with three new ones opening this year, bringing the total to 28: Las Colinas Golf Country Club and Font del Llop Golf Resort in the Alicante province, and La Galiana near Valencia.
The region has long been a popular golfing destination with famous championship courses like La Sella, and hosting major international tournaments like the Castello Masters Costa Azahar (taking place from 21-24 October this year at the Club de Campo del Mediterraneo). Later this year, the region will truly be the focus of the golf world when Valencia hosts IGTM 2010 (the International Golf Travel Market 2010) from 15 to 18 November.
Las Colinas Golf & Country Club (www.aworldapart.es), managed by Troon Golf, is located in Dehesa de Campoamor, south of the resort of Torrevieja (Alicante), and opened in June. Designed by Cabell B. Robinson, the 18-hole championship course has been carved out of a spectacular gorge and has breathtaking panoramic views of the nearby coastline and nature reserve. The par 71 golf course offers a great variety of short and long holes, with five unique par 3’s presenting an array of challenges of varying length and topography. Water hazards and dramatic bunkering also play a key part in the nature of the golf course.
Font del Llop Golf Resort (www.fdlgolf.es) is a new 18-hole course located near the historic town of Monforte del Cid, in the Vinalopo valley, just minutes inland from Alicante. The course has been designed so that it blends naturally with the scenery, and has great views of the surrounding mountains. The layout of its fairways make for a technical game of golf that challenges the player to use all golf clubs. The golf course has been open to the public since May.
La Galiana (www.lagalianagolf.com) is expected to open in the autumn near the town of Alcira, south of Valencia. The 18-hole, par 72 course enjoys a spectacular setting in a valley surrounded by pine and orange groves, isolated from residential areas. More than 5000 local species of plants and trees have been used for the landscaping, and water consumption will be minimised through a sophisticated rainwater collection and drainage system. La Galiana will be open to non-members and locals will be encouraged to take up the sport and use the facilities, with new golf schools also planned for the area.
For more information on these and other golf courses in the Region of Valencia go to www.comunitatvalenciana.com