Golf

This section focuses on golf, the local golf courses and links to their web sites, deals on green fees, rental of electric trolleys etc. etc. In other words, anything and everything one can think of to do with golf.

Compared to the Western Algarve and the Costa del Sol, Costa de la Luz – Huelva and the Eastern Algarve are as yet ‘undiscovered’. Green fees are lower, the courses are less crowded and less busy making it much easier to get a start time that you want and to be able to get round in reasonable time without delays. Listed below are 9 courses (shortly to be 11) within 40 minutes drive of Isla Canela, with Dunas de Donana being aound one hour 20 mins away.

Isla Canela GC

The course at Isla Canela is set on the edge of the ‘Marismas’, the salt water marshes that form much of the terrain of Isla Canela and which have the benefit of protected status as natural parks. Like the ‘Marismas’, the course at Isla Canela is flat and open and makes for easy walking – but do not take it lightly! When he designed the course in 1993, Juan Catarineü incorporated the ponds and gullies that serve as the drainage system of the ‘Marismas’ to provide natural hazards that always seem to be just where you don’t want them. The Isla Canela course is not particularly long but it rewards straight play as any shots off-line are penalised by the array of eucalyptus and palms that characterise the scenery. Water comes into play on no fewer than 10 holes

Castro Marim Atlantic GC

The closest course to Isla Canela is currently not in Spain but in Portugal. Opened in March 2000, yet already having the feel of being well established, the Atlantic Course at Castro Marim is the first phase of a luxury resort. It just over the border and can be reached in just over 20 minutes. Click here for a route. Despite being so close, Castro Marim could not be more different. Carved into the rocky hills that lie just inland, the fairways of the Castro Marim course wind and climb in and out of natural valleys and have stunning mountain, river and sea views all around. To the east, there are spectacular views to Spain while to the north and west, the views of the distant Alentejo hills are magnificent. The layout demands accurate play, and the challenging aspects of the course, whilst providing interest to the expert, are also a test to the ability of the average handicap golfer and yet remain pleasurable to both.
The course climbs and falls with the most challenging climbs being between the 12 to 13, 15 to 16 and as you leave the 18th. A large clubhouse is being built, scheduled to be completed December 2005, and a further course is in the early stages of development as are quite a number of townhouses around the course.

Islantilla GC

Around 30 minutes away, this time in Spain, is the 27-hole course at Islantilla, just east of Isla Cristina. Opened in 1992, Islantilla has hosted a PGA European Tour event and has been listed by Golf Digest in Europe’s Top 100 courses. Built upon 73 Hectares the Course is immersed in a forest of pine trees with wonderful views over the Atlantic Ocean and the beach. A combination of links and parkland in its nature, the 27 holes at Islantilla snake in and around the resort of the same name. In the view of many, Islantilla is the most challenging of the courses in our area. The Course has 3 choices of 18 holes for 3 different styles of play: Blue Course, very demanding and designed for low handicaps. Green Course, which combines the need for length and accuracy. Ideal for average handicaps. Yellow Course, the easiest one, and perfect for higher handicaps. As you arrive the housing which has been developed around the course feels almost overwhelmimg, yet on the course it is much less evident than you might expect. Click here for a route.

El Rompido GC

Around 35 minutes drive east towards Huelva is the new course of El Rompido, which opened in 2003. Set on the coast overlooking the estuary of the Rio Piedras River, there are spectacular views to the beaches and the sea. It is a course of 2 halves, the outward nine holes being set in the protected ‘Marismas’ area in front of the resort’s houses and hotels gives ample opportunity to get to grips with nearly all of your clubs, while the inward nine holes are more open and longer around the clubhouse and hotels.

Click here for a route to El Rompido & Nuevo Portil.

Nuevo Portil GC

10 minutes further down the road past El Rompido, Nuevo Portil is a parkland course set in the middle of a large new development of houses and villas. The course was opened in 2001, Located in an area with natural vegetation, mainly populated with pine, running along the sea to the south. This sandy field with its mild features includes a great variety of sceneries with even areas and gentle slopes, perfect for a round of golf. While the course’s smart technical design is suitable for international championships, golfers of every level will find the course enjoyable.

Whilst it is not too long, it more than makes up for in trickiness with a number of demanding dog-leg holes with tall statuesque pines to discourage the ‘tiger line’. The property development, whilst not too evident from the road, is often quite tight to the course with large nets to keep the stray shots at bay. It’s also frequently necessary to go out of the course via a gate, and re-enter the course having crossed a road.

Bellavista GC

Bellavista, in contrast to all the other courses in the region, is one of the oldest clubs in Spain, and moved to its latest course location in 1976. The course is a little gem with elevated ‘saucer-shaped’ greens and graceful umbrella pines lining the fairways – it also has the most impressive selection of villas lining the fairways for you to ogle! Though it’s a membership course, one can generally pay a green fee. Its around 35/40 minutes, and click here for a route.

Dunas de Doñana GC

Past Huelva, and around 60/70 minutes drive. is the links/American-style course of Dunas de Doñana. Located in the heart of the Doñana National Park, in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Dunas de Doñana, is again not long but extensive use of water and large bunkers make it a real challenge - especially when the sea breezes are blowing.

A true test of golf with many different kinds of hazards including its famed island green, the signature 5th Island Hole being reminiscent of the 17th at Sawgrass used at the 2005 US Players Championship.

Benamor GC

Going back across the border into Portugual, and about a 35 minute drive, close to Tavira you come to the Benamor course which was the first course to open in the Eastern Algarve in May 2000. Adapted from Henry Cotton’s original concept, Benamor lies between the Rio Formosa National Park on the coast and the uplands of the Serra do Caldeirao., The course offers an interesting challenge amid peaceful surroundings. The spectacular setting provides views to the sea and to the fertile valleys and striking hills to the north. Water and contoured greens feature prominently. Many spectacular old olive trees and cork oaks line, and sometimes encroach, onto the fairways making course management a must.

The final two courses close to Isla Canela are Quinta da Ria and Quinta da Cima in Portugal, both built in the grounds of the Quinta da Ria estate between Tavira and Monte Gordo.

Click here for a route to Benamor, Quinta da Ria & Quinta da Cima

Quinta da Ria GC

This splendid new course, opened in 2001, and designed by ‘Rocky’ Roquemore is located 6 kms east of Tavira, and extends itself in a spectacular location on the coast of the eastern Algarve, known locally as “Sotavento”.

Quinta da Ria, situated in the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, has already been described by experienced golfers as the most breathtaking golf course in the Region with splendid views to the sea. There will be no houses, or villas, or apartments to distract you from your game: just you and nature.

Thousands of introduced olives, almonds and carobs are used to delineate the fairways and this is an excellent ‘holiday’ course with little rough, wide fairways, large tees and many visually stunning bunkers.

Quinta da Cima GC

Sister course to Quinta da Ria and also designed by ‘Rocky’ Roquemore, it opened for play in the summer of 2002 and is another course of excellent quality.

Set among olive groves it is a tougher test of golf than Quinta da Ria with very tricky greens and as long you would like.

A series of lakes and interconnecting streams provide an added challenge.

Costa Esuri

When open, these two courses will be the closest to Isla Canela, at only 15 minutes away. The first course is due to open later in 2005. The renowned golf architect, Jose Canales, has designed a links style course at over 6.800mtrs! The layout runs along the banks of the Guadiana River, the natural border to Portugal.

The second course will be situated more in the rolling hills that overlook the river, with more definition to the holes, due to the use of the natural valleys, blending the course into the existing landscape.

Green Fees & Tee Times
Assuming we all know enough about the deals at Isla Canela, there are a number of ways one can do better than just paying the standard green fee at other courses in the area.

Atlantee Golf
This is a scheme devised by the Spanish Golf Clubs on the Atlantic coast, and enables you to play at Isla Canela, Islantilla, Nuevo Portil, El Rompido & Dunas de Donana (amongst other). You purchase books of 5 vouchers from any of the clubs for 210 Euros (i.e 42 E per round). You then telephone the course (they all have English speaking receptionists) advising them you have the vouchers and they will book your tee time. You can’t have more than 3 rounds from each book of 5 at the same course.

Andalgarvegolf will also arrange green fees and tee times. Contact Andrew Shanks on andrew@andalgarve-golf.com.

E-Portugal provides a comprehensive list of the standard and discounted rates for all the above courses, with details of how to book.

Book Your Golf is another site offering tee booking and good prices.

Hill Billy Rental
A guy from Bill Goff Tours was delivering Hill Billies to Isla Canela, and he said that they will provide Hill Billy Rental for around 60E per week from Faro airport. Apparently when you book your Hill Billy, you tell them your inbound and outbound flights and they will meet you at both times to deliver and collect your trolley. Its not on their web site but there is a contact number. If it works, please advise using Contact.

Weekly Roll Up
Mid February, there was a start of a weekly roll up at the Isla Canela Golf Club on a Wednesday at 14.00. In the early days, it may not always operate, but its a good opportunity for owners & visitors to meet up with other golfers.