Golf design brilliance from an American on The Iberian Peninsula

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Anyone considering a golf trip to Spain or Portugal, is likely to be more than a little confused, perhaps even frustrated, in trying to determine which courses they should play. With the single exception of Spain's Valderrama, which sky-rocketed to world fame after it was chosen to host the 1997 Ryder Cup matches, precious few courses in either country have gained the name recognition they so richly deserve.

Santana is one of the best courses on the Costa del Sol

You could do worse than follow the names of the course designers. Robert Trent Jones Sr. was responsible for Valderrama and his name appears on several other excellent courses in both Spain and Portugal. Frank Pennink was a prominent course architect in Portugal, as was Henry Cotton. The noted Spanish designer, Javier Arana, limited his design efforts to his homeland, but consistently produced top designs. Another important architect here is a trans-planted American who has spent the better part of 40 years, working his design magic on The Iberian Peninsula. Whenever you have a chance to play a course designed by Cabell Robinson, jump at the opportunity -- it's a guarantee of a very special golf experience.

Cabell Robinson is not your ordinary golf architect. With an established reputation around The Mediterranean region, he is in high demand by everyone looking to develop an outstanding course, but he refuses to become a design factory. Taking very much a hands-on approach with every assignment, he picks and chooses each project carefully. If Cabell Robinson's name is attached to a course, be assured of two things -- first, the man really did design and oversee construction from start to finish. Second, the course will not be a run of the mill layout, but something very special and quite memorable. This is an architect who like any real artist, puts his heart and soul into every design he creates.

Centuries old trees are a part of Santana's defenses

There are a number of outstanding layouts along the Costa del Sol with Robinson's signature -- The three impressive courses at La Cala, La Reserva at Sotogrande, the outstanding new Finca Cortesin and another relative newcomer, Santana Golf & Country Club. True to form, all are gems and listed among the best layouts along the entire coastline.

Santana is a particularly enticing track. Handsomely set between two rivers on 138 acres of what was once an avocado plantation with the Sierra de Mijas Mountains as a backdrop, Santana is nothing less than visually stunning. Robinson has preserved many of the original old avocado trees, together with some specimen cork trees that have been standing here for over 500 years. Adding eucalyptus, mango, orange and lemon trees, the layout is a lush green oasis under the brilliantly blue, Mediterranean sky.

When golf becomes art - Santana

Without the typical space limitations, Robinson has allowed his imagination to go on the wild side with generously wide fairways and a track measuring a hefty 6,306 meters (just shy of 7,000 yards). But don't be misled into thinking that big hitters have all the advantages -- in typical Robinson style, strategy and good course management wear the white hats and will win out in the end. Brute force, unless accompanied by accuracy and ability just won't cut it.

As serious a test of golfing prowess Santana may be for the single digit handicapper, there is a built in confidence booster for those of far more modest skills - a range of tee positions that brings this would be monster within the playing abilities of the rest of us. Yes, even the most casual golfer is assured 18 holes of challenging fun -- bringing out another of Cabell Robinson's traits -- he never forgets that golf is a game and games should be enjoyed by all.

Serious bunkering and undulating fairways are standard fare at Palheiro

Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of Santana is the variety of different challenges that have been incorporated into each of the 18 holes that meld seamlessly, one into the other. If variety is the spice of life, then Santana is certainly a spicy dish. Water hazards are not in short supply, but never dominate. There are a couple of interesting doglegs and short holes that are as testy as any par 3 you have ever been confronted with. There are long holes and one, the 660 yard eighth that takes the crown as the longest on the Costa del Sol.

The greens are large, extremely well maintained and filled with subtle slopes and undulations. Encroaching mature trees are sometimes used to narrow the access, providing further examination of a players shot making abilities. And the closing hole is a real thriller and an appropriate ending to what will be a truly memorable round.

Portugal has also benefited from the design talents of Cabell Robinson, with just two layouts from this man who refuses to pump out course designs like a widget factory. I have covered the excellent Praia d'El Rey course, near Lisbon, in this column previously and it remains one of Portugal's very best. Palheiro is his second Portuguese design, located on the paradise island of Madeira, a short 1 ½ hour flight from Lisbon.

Palheiro calls for pinpoint accuracy

Sitting 1,500 feet above sea level, Palheirho literally towers above Madeira's capital of Funchal, with unbelievable vistas of the city and Funchal Bay. It's an eye-dazzler you're not likely to forget in a hurry and the excellent layout seems to come along almost as a bonus -- but what a bonus. It's another piece of Robinson design wizardry where he has taken terrain, probably never intended for golf and produced a top-drawer layout.

Carved through a pine forest, mature trees are only one hazard among the many presented by Palheiro. Winds should come as no surprise and the price that must be paid for the mountaintop views and the often dramatic elevation changes, which can be a lot of fun, but also create a few blind shots - it's a small price to pay for the pure pleasure this layout provides.

Accuracy and correct club selection are probably the two most essential requirements for a good score. There are opportunities to spread the shoulders and hit the ball with all your might, but mountainside real estate makes narrow fairways a necessity and there's no shortage of well-placed bunkers to make big hitters think twice before letting it rip. Pinpoint accuracy will definitely have its rewards.

Stunning views are a part of Palheiro's appeal

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There's no question that Palheiro is one of Portugal's great courses and quite different to any other you will be playing, both aesthetically and from the challenge it presents. But it's also a course that provides a lot of fun for all, regardless of their abilities. Making a good thing even better, it's an extremely welcoming club, where every visitor is made to feel completely at home.

Make a full day excursion out of your Palheiro experience and you can brush up on any shortcomings in your game on the new, 6-hole academy course, with an hour or so of instruction, before tackling the main attraction. For a real treat before your round, enjoy a leisurely lunch at the club's excellent restaurant -- it's one of the best you will ever find in a clubhouse - and why not an after golf cocktail as well? It enjoys the best views of the entire island and the sunsets are quite remarkable.

Follow the handiwork of Cabell Robinson on The Iberian Peninsula and you simply can't go wrong. For more ideas on playing the best golf courses in Spain and Portugal, while taking in the history, culture and wonderful cuisine of this intriguing area, click here.

©2008 David Brice / Golf International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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