Out with the old, in with the new doesn't always apply to golf courses
By David Brice, Golf International, Inc.
Neither Spain nor Portugal can ever be accused of not supporting golf -- both countries are awash with golf courses and forgetting the quantity for a moment, it's the consistently high quality of the vast majority of these layouts that is so impressive. Naturally, some are better than others, but even at the lower end of the scale, the quality remains better than good and at the top end, quality levels literally shoot off of the chart. Nowhere is this as true as with the newer courses that have opened during the last 5 years or so, bringing some really classy new gems to both Spain and Portugal.
Along Andalucia's Costa del Sol, Spain's unofficial golf headquarters, there have been a number of new boys on the block in recent years that have taken the golf world by storm. The Cabell Robinson design at Santana was immediately proclaimed a winner and the same Cabell Robinson's more recent effort at Finca Cortesin has received even more enthusiastic endorsement from practically the entire European golf community, including more than a few comparisons with Valderrama. Whether this is an exaggeration or not, only time will tell, but it is certainly the most flattering compliment any course could ever be paid.
It was only in 2004 that another new Costa del Sol course opened, at the time to far lesser acclaim. This was not due to any shortcomings in the design, a cooperative effort from Perry Dye and Seve Ballesteros, nor any other fathomable reason. It was simply due to the fact San Roque's New Course, was the younger sibling of the original San Roque layout, now to be called The Old Course, a team effort between Dave Thomas and Tony Jacklin. In golfing circles, nobody accepts a younger brother with open arms, especially when the brothers are golf courses. Until it has proved otherwise, which is at least a few decades or longer, the newer layout will always be labeled as the second course, with the accompanying stigma of being presumed to be inferior to the original. Nobody wants to play a second course.
Making the situation even more difficult, San Roque (now San Roque Old) was a founding member of the Costa del Sol's, so called, Golden Triangle -- the linking of what was generally accepted as being three best courses on the coast that also happened to be immediate neighbors -- Valderrama, Sotogrande and San Roque (Old).
As the saying goes, "you can't keep a good man down" and a mere four years after opening, San Roque New has impressed the golfing fraternity in grand style and with the gritty determination only a youngster possesses. It has proved its worth and is now considered a more than worthy companion course to its older brother. Locals still refer to the Golden Triangle, but today they really mean the Golden Quadrangle, including both San Roque layouts.
Selecting the better of the two will be dependant upon each players skill level, competitive spirit and whether or not they can think their way out of problems with no apparent solution. The Old Course is the kinder and more forgiving brother, testing from the back tees, but far more manageable from the front. It's a true classic and a gentleman from beginning to end.
By comparison San Roque New is thoroughly modern and definitely a layout for scratch and low-handicap players, providing a very serious examination of golfing skills to any who may dare -- Forgiveness is not a word in the New Course's vocabulary. Narrow fairways demand pinpoint accuracy, with deep fairway bunkers waiting to collect the penalty from any who may fail. The greens are well protected and water hazards, mature cork oaks and nasty pot-bunkers, only add further complications. Attack this layout without a solid strategy and thorough understanding of your own capabilities, means inevitable defeat. The New Course takes no prisoners, but for the real connoisseurs of the game who enjoy a tough fight, be prepared for the most invigorating round of the trip.
Portugal can also boast a number of newcomers that have jumped on the express train to golf stardom. On the Lisbon Coast, Oitavos Dunes was still in diapers when it hosted The European Tour's, Portuguese Open for the first time in 2005, barely four years after the course first opened. Called back for the same celebrity duty again in both 2007 and 2008, Oitavos Dunes is now a permanent fixture on The European Tour.
On The Algarve Coast, Vilamoura's Victoria Club is another wunderkind that only saw its first light of day in 2005 and within a single year was hosting the WGC-World Championships. In 2007 The Victoria Club hosted the first Portugal Masters, an honor to be repeated for this challenging Arnold Palmer layout in both 2008 and 2009. But Vilamoura is an amazing golf resort with a total of five 18-hole layouts, champions all.
Quite the opposite to developments in San Roque, Vilamoura's new kid is getting all of the attention and the other four layouts have practically been pushed into a corner, including The Old Course, still considered by many to be Vilamoura's best.
Inaugurated in 1969 and the work of fabled British designer, Frank Pennink, this was only the second course (following Penina) to be built on The Algarve. The Old Course is reminiscent of some of the great British parkland courses, which undoubtedly influenced the original design. A steady and consistent program of improvements has kept the layout apace with the times and combined with the benefit of almost 40 years of maturity, it has evolved into one of The Algarve's most handsome, almost stately, golf courses. It beguiles every visitor, but don't be misled into believing the challenge ahead will be easy, as the reality is the contrary, The Old Course is a serious test of golf.
The first four holes are relatively straightforward, as you are gently eased into the golfing examination that lies ahead and by the fifth, with niceties completed; it's time to get down to business. This is a great short hole requiring a tee shot over a lake to a small, perilously sloping green. Having gained your attention the remainder of the front nine will certainly keep it, as you come to the realization that accuracy and correct club selection will be the keys to success.
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The excitement only intensifies at the turn, where the 10th, 11th and 12th holes immediately test accuracy, ability and adaptability to ever-changing situations. The bunkering seems to intensify in effectiveness -- they become deeper and more cunningly positioned, always used in defense of the greens, they now occur more frequently as fairway hazards, only too eager to snap up any errant shot. The forest of umbrella pines takes on new life, encroaching on fairways and greens and demanding even more precision.
The 16th is the last of the par-5's, stretching to 550 yards from the back tee - success is dependant on three perfect shots to a frighteningly narrow green, jealously protected by three very large bunkers.
Vilamoura Old Course, with its tough challenge, excellent landscaping, perfectly natural flow and superb maintenance, is a pure joy to play and with a back 9 that qualifies as one of the best in the entire country, it's a definite must play. This is simply a great layout, guaranteed to leave you with memories that will last for years to come.
For more information on playing the great courses of Spain and Portugal, click here.
©2008 David Brice / Golf International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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