MAJORCA - MANY HAPPY RETURNS

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It's not how many - but how enjoyable. In order to play every golf course on this magnificent island, think about the many return visits you will need and indeed look forward to. If this is a first visit or a return to a long-time friend be well aware of the infrastructure and advances that time and technology have bestowed on Majorca, changes which keep the island as a perfect golfing destination.

The lazy lanes of yesteryear have now been superseded by 3 and 4 lane highways enabling the motorist to very quickly negotiate coast to coast and side to side. The many restaurants and bars are very welcoming; the island scenery very easy on the eye and the Majorcan people are very happy to look after each and every visitor.

So the infrastructure of the island, so important for holidays in general, is very much in place.

My short trip to Majorca at the beginning of October initially involved looking up 'old friends' in the South West. Having played Poniente more than many times over past years, I arrived thinking I knew exactly what to expect. The greeting from Francisca, who is Secretary to Jose Jimenez Sanchez, Club President, was a very warm welcome, and I was not surprised that she was co-ordinating the efforts of the 23(!) golf courses during the Mallorcan Open that month. My partner and I enjoyed a quick and pleasant round on a course which is well established and full of interest, only momentarily held up by the chickens making their way home to roost across the 2nd fairway, and by a very large family of geese, who seemed very anxious to scrutinise my swing on the 9th tee from very close quarters. Needless to say, they were not very impressed.

A mere 45 minutes away from the host of golf clubs in the South West of the island is Alcanada, opened in 2003, close to the popular resorts of Alcudia and Pollensa in the north east.

The approach to the course immediately reminds you of some of the best coastal courses in the UK, with the sea on your right and the comfort of a lighthouse not far off land. This is a newly built course, under the management of Kristoff Both, the design utilises all that modern technology can bring. The starter gives a warm welcome to all, eagerly pointing out the difficulties ahead in particular, the tricky first hole. Finally one is presented with a pitch repairer and advised to take one more club for the 3rd shot over the ravine. Make that 2 clubs more! The quiet presence of several course marshals certainly made for an even more pleasant round.

More towards the centre of the island abound the old and the new courses. Son Vida has been there almost for ever, and would probably rate a must for all visitors. It is essential to plot one's way round and accept the challenge of its varying but not long course. Please visit to the rustic clubhouse, before or after the round.

James Arnold (Director of Golf ) has also been charged with also managing the 2 new courses built within a few hundred metres of Son Vida, namely Son Muntaner, constructed on similar lines to its mother course, and Son Quint, which has quickly built an enthusiastic following - ahead of the Club House construction, which is now seeing completion. Son Muntaner is blessed with sweeping fairways and its neighbour Son Quint is just as highly thought of by the management team.

Golf Park, too, is newly constructed. This Jack Nicklaus design presents a good challenge for all, with the obligatory water features as usual. Indeed, the 16th short hole is 202 yards over water to a raised green.

The final and important mention is for Son Gual, a true masterpiece of construction and design under the very watchful guidance of its Architect,Thomas Himmel, chosen from among 12 applicants for the design and construction. San Gual was always intended as a project destined to reach perfection. Cold Climate grasses have rendered fairways of the best quality, and greens as inviting as they are difficult. The water features look natural and the flora well chosen. Such are the standards of the fairways that there is rarely a restriction on buggies, keeping play going at a good pace and therefore highly enjoyable. Frank Furhausser, Club Director, anticipates that, within a year, this will be a members' only course. Please go and visit while you can.

The above courses make up only a third of those on the Island of Mallorca. Visitors will be spoilt for choice and assured of a memorable golfing holiday. Play all day and relax each evening with the hospitality of one of the very first tourist destinations, an island for everyone - no 150,00 British ex Pats are not wrong in making their home here, with a myriad of courses on which to spend their leisure time.

CONTACT DETAILS FOR FEATURED GOLF COURSES AND GOLF ON MAJORCA

GOLF DE PONIENTE

E-mail: golf@ponientegolf.com

www.ponientegolf.com

GOLF ALCANADA

E-Mail: info@golf-alcanada.com

www.golf-alcanada.com

GOLF SON VIDA

E-Mail: info@sonvidagolf.com

www.sonvidagolf.com

GOLF SON MUNTANER

E-Mail: info@sonmuntanergolf.com