GOLFING IN TENERIFE
Tenerife is the ideal golfing destination. A year round, pleasant climate and concentration of world class golf courses in a small area make it a favourite of amateur and professional golfers alike.
Here is a brief description of some popular courses in Tenerife.
 GOLF DEL SUR
Ever since it's 1987 inaugural event, a competition for professionals, the 27 greens and fairways of Golf del Sur have provided the backdrop for various international tournaments.
In 1989 they bore witness to Jose Maria Olazabal´s victory in the Open de Tenerife, a feat he repeated in 1992. The following year they watched as David Gilford won the event, as did Mark James in 1994. In 1995, Golf del Sur hosted the Shell Wonderful World of Golf tournament and its head to head battle between Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson.
Golf del Sur has also been the setting for two golf driving distance records, both of which were set by Britain's Karl Woodward. First he set a new record of 398 yards and then, a few months later, he managed to break the legendary 400-yard barrier with a huge stroke, which sent the ball flying 408 yards.
This Tenerife golf course, designed by Pepe Gancedo, is a thoroughly enjoyable layout in which one's attention is immediately caught by the black volcanic sand in the bunkers. The wide fairways are lined with such a wide variety of indigenous plants that, with it's palm trees and giant cactus plants, this 800 square meter course beside the Atlantic Ocean is like a veritable oasis.
Particularly difficult is the 3rd hole of the course. To the right of the wide fairway is a water hazard, behind which lies an impressive ravine with an ochre-coloured rock face, while to the left is a gaping bunker of black sand.
Another notable hole is the 2nd of the southern course, a par 3 of 193 meters whose green is surrounded by another immense bunker of black sand. The club offers a golf school as well as practice facilities, a tennis court, lawn bowls green, bar-restaurant and pro shop.
Golf school:
For groups Golf del Sur has a special instruction area for practice and initiation. Groups can bring their own teaching pros or may contract the services of the Golf del Sur professionals.
 BACK>>
AMARILLA BAY
 On the southern coast of Tenerife, just bordering the sea, we find the Amarilla Golf and Country Club. The character of the 18-hole course is marked by the incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean which, without a doubt, inspired golf architect Donald Steel. The Golf course, surrounded by barrancos and a residential development, provides a stern challenge for the professional golfer while, at the same time, offers an attractive and enjoyable game for those of a more modest ability. It was inaugurated in 1989, and one year later Amarilla Golf hosted the second edition of the Tenerife Open, which is part of the European P.G.A Tour.
 From the first tee, the player discovers the spectacular ocean views. Following on to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th holes that are surrounded by a broad variety of typical Canarian flora, enormous Cannas Indicas, the beautiful Washington Palms and the very exclusive Canarian Pines. The most impressive part of the round reaches its peak at the 5th hole: This is truly a gem for golf lovers, where the sea becomes a fairway, making it necessary to cross it in order to reach the green.
The following holes leave the coast momentarily, in order to enjoy other panoramic views including a range of mountains, crowned by the majestic Mt. Teide. The game continues, returning once again to the seaside on the 12th hole, accompanied by a nice cool ocean breeze. Following on after the next three holes, the course allows for a break at the welcoming Pro Shop terrace, where one can take a short break before tackling the final stretch. The last three holes are characterised by their large bunkers, bordered by volcanic sand, and the presence of the neighbouring golf course, Golf del Sur, making San Miguel the county with the most golf holes on the island.
Amarilla Golf also offers the recently inaugurated Pitch and Putt, 9 holes par 27, only 20 meters away from the Pro Shop. Other facilities include driving range, putting green, equestrian centre and Club House, which in itself, includes tennis court, swimming pool, bar and restaurant with views of the ocean and the golf course.
BACK>>
GOLF LAS AMERICAS
 Las Americas Golf Course is situated in the south of the marvelous island of Tenerife, at Playa de Las Americas, one of Spain's largest tourist resorts with the island's finest beaches, and has the added attraction of its site, a gently sloping amphitheatre, protected from the wind by the range of hills which form its immediate surroundings. Its climatic conditions are ideal in both winter and summer, with average temperatures of 21°C and 25°C for the two seasons and a total of 3,200 hours of sun a year.
The course offers a varied itinerary, with a standard and scratch par of 72, and a total length of 6,039 m. Among other features, it offers a series of lakes, streams and waterfalls that create a pleasant environment. Beside the club house, situated in an outstanding topographical setting, is the practice course, tee 1 and 10, and greens 9 and 18.
At the club house, which also stands out for its architectural beauty, there are a wide range of services, including bar-cafeteria, pro-shop, bag and club custody service, buggy and caddie cart hire, golf school, etc.
BACK>>
GOLF COSTA ADEJE
Just 5 kilometres from Playa de las Americas, Golf Costa Adeje was created with the ambition of becoming the most important leisure development in the Canary Islands.
This excellent 27 hole course opened in 1998 and has rapidly become one the most popular courses in Tenerife. Designed by the internationally renowned architect Pepe Gancedo the layout is characteristic of his drawing board, "hand-built" he says, adapting itself to the natural terrain and the restored stone walls from former agricultural terracing. The views from the course take in the island of La Gomera, the mountain range of Adeje, Playa de la Americas and the sea.
The greens are generally large and there are a number of doglegs. The round begins with a long par five (510m) and bunkers wait to catch stray balls off the tee. The 2nd is short with a ravine to the right and a green formed on two levels makes it more difficult when the flag is placed at the back. The fourth follows a gentle slope downhill towards the sea and is crossed at regular intervals by the step-like stone walls of the former banana plantation. There are two greens, one directly in front with the sea beyond and the other closer to the tee on the right.
To get from the main course to the driving range and the golf school, there is an elevator to take players and even buggies down through the natural rock.
The 14th is an uphill par three and it is necessary to attack the green which is protected by a deep bunker in front, and the 18th is a spectacular finishing hole, also a par 5, where the downhill aspect makes the green more accessible in two, although those wanting to be sure to avoid the trouble generally settle for three strokes.
BACK>>
LOS PALOS GOLF CENTRE
 Los Palos Golf Centre is a par 27 nine hole course in the south of the island in the municipality of Arona, five minutes from Playa de la Americas and Los Cristianos where temperatures are pleasant all year round.
Don't be fooled into writing it off because it is a short course, it is certainly not a pitch and putt and there are plenty of challenges to be encountered over its 914 meters: five holes are affected by water and others require very accurate hitting.
Opened in December 1994 Los Palos was designed by Jose Maria Olazabal's company, Integral Golf Design, and is located in an easily accessible area not far off the main Santa Cruz highway. The course has a slight incline and is situated amidst banana trees, it is the perfect place to spend a couple of hours on a round of golf, or become familiar with the game.
Instruction is one of Los Palos' strong points and the club aims to overcome the all too common problems associated with finding a golf teacher, hiring clubs etc. There is a PGA professional, driving range, chipping area and putting green where individual and group classes are given in various languages.
From the terrace of the clubhouse the golf course dominates the view. The atmosphere is relaxing and housed within are a restaurant, golf shop, changing rooms and showers. There is a children's play area which leaves parents free to play a worry-free round of golf.
Los Palos is the perfect golf facility for those wishing to golf for an hour or so. Businessmen, pressed for time and unable to get in a full round elsewhere relax here and mingle with families whose children are taking their first steps in the world of golf.
BACK>>
|
