the canary islands - Gran Canaria Golf

THE CANARY ISLANDS
A GLEAMING STRING OF ISLAND PEARLS, BATHED BY YEAR-ROUND SUNSHINE, THE CANARY ISLANDS IS
ONE OF THE BEST LOVED DESTINATIONS BY IRISH HOLIDAY MAKERS WITH A LOVE OF GOLF. AND FOR GOOD
REASON, NOT ONLY ARE THERE 22 TOP CLASS GOLF RESORTS SPRINKLED AROUND THE ISLANDS, THERE IS
ALSO A HUGE VARIETY OF DESTINATIONS TO SUIT ALL TASTES, FROM THE BUSTLING BEACHES OF TENERIFE
AND GRAN CANARIA TO THE AWE-INSPIRING NATURAL BEAUTY OF LA GOMERA.
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Asturias
La Coruno
Cantabria
Vizcaya
Lugo
Pontevedra
Alava
Leon
Burgos
Orense
Palencia
Navarra
La Rioja
Huesca
Girona
Líeida
Zamora
Soria
Valladolid
Barcelona
Zaragoza
Tarragona
Segovia
Salamanca
Guadalajara
Ávila
Teruel
Madrid
Toledo
Cáceres
Castellón
Cuenca
Valencia
Ciudad Real
Albacete
Badajoz
Alicante
Córdoba
Huelva
THE CANARY ISLANDS || GRAN CANARIA
Guipuzcoa
Murcia
Jaén
Seville
Granada
Almeria
Malaga
Cádiz
Lanzarote
La Palma
Tenerife
La Gomera
Fuerteventura
El Hierro
Gran Canaria
MORE THAN 12 MILLION PEOPLE FLOCK TO THE ISLANDS EACH YEAR
IN SEARCH OF A GOOD TIME, SOME RELAXATION AND SOME SUN
They say the original inhabitants
of Gran Canaria arrived in 500
BC or even earlier. Whatever the
exact date, they never left and
it’s little wonder, given the fantastic climate, that more than 12
million visitors flock to the island
every year.
It’s not just the 3,000 hours of
sunshine that caresses Gran Canaria annually or the 1,500km of
golden beaches or the pulsating
nightlife but that magical combination of sun, sea, sand and
cuisine that captivates visitors
from all over the world.
With its history dating back
thousands of years — Gran Canaria boasts museums, art galleries and botanic gardens teeming
with examples of Canarian treasures — there’s a lot to see and do
away from the golf course.
From the wide sandy beaches
of Maspalomas, Las Canteras or
Meloneras to natural wonders
such as the Teide National Park
— home to the great Mount Teide
— Gran Canaria has a unique
natural environment.
UNESCO awarded the
island the Biosphere Reserve
label, which helps support conservation of its unique collection
microclimates and habitats from
the pine woods of the south west
and the ravines and valleys full of
palm trees and willow groves to
the underwater volcanic gorges
and tall cliffs of the coastline.
Named the Best Golf Destination in 2013 by the International Association of Golf Tour
Operators, thanks to its exhilarating mix of golf, sea, sun and fun,
the Canary Islands is a must visit
destination for any golfer looking
for quality and variety.
With seven great courses in
Gran Canaria alone, you may
never want to go home.
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THE CANARY ISLANDS || GRAN CANARIA
Anfi Tauro Golf
Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas
El Cortijo Club De Campo
Real Club De Golf De Las Palmas
Founded in 1891, Real Club De Golf De Las Palmas is the
oldest club in Spain and is located next to the crater of an
old volcano, a constant reminder of Gran Canaria’s volcanic
origins. With fantastic views, it’s a must-play venue and with
the Bandama Golf Hotel situated next to the first tee, you’ve
got the perfect hotel right on site. While its fairways are
narrow and its greens small, this 18-hole par-71 test is still
suitable for players of all levels.
El Cortijo Club De Campo
Host of the European Tour’s Canarias Open in 2002, the
course was designed by Blake Stirling and Marco Martin
who have been responsible for some of the best courses in
the world. Featuring six lakes and dotted with over 600 palm
trees, its fast, tricky greens are tough to read and accuracy and
strategy are key when playing this course.
Anfi Tauro Golf
Created by Robert Von Hagge and associates in 2006,
Anfi Tauro is an impeccably maintained Arizona-style
course set in acres of lush green gardens with rich
vegetation, lakes and waterfalls and enclosed by impressive
volcano shaped mountains. There is also a 9-hole par-3
course that’s perfect for beginners. If you feel the need for
some practice before heading out on to the course, try
the international golf academy with its magnificent driving
range, practice bunkers and chipping and putting greens.
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Salobre Golf
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THE CANARY ISLANDS || GRAN CANARIA
Maspalomas Dunes
Maspalomas Golf
Situated next to the famous Maspalomas Dunes
and surrounded by waving palms, Maspalomas
Golf is everything you require from a holiday golf
course. Boasting flat, wide fairways, it’s caressed
by cooling sea breezes and with a par of 73
there’s plenty of scope to open your shoulders
and let fly. Designed by Mackenzie Ross, the
course opened in 1968 and as it is a golfing
rather than a physical challenge, it has stood the
test of time. It also has a practice ground with
qualified instructors and provides the full range of
rental services as well as a golf shop, restaurant
and snack bar.
green gardens are in stark contrast with the desert
surroundings. The South Course was designed by
Dave Thomas and Roland Fauré — a demanding
course on which you’ll need all your skills to be
successful. The North Course— designed by Ron
Kirby— echoes the common characteristic of the Gran
Canarian countryside, with more than 600 species of
plants and trees, giving natural beauty to the course.
Facilities include a golf school, practice area, drivingrange, putting green, club hire, hydro-massage and
valet parking, while the pro shop and restaurant are at
the Sheraton Salobre Golf Hotel.
Meloneras Golf
Lopesan Meloneras Golf opened in 2006 and has
quickly become a popular golfing oasis with palm
trees and lakes making it a truly enjoyable experience.
Situated on the Costa Meloneras in the south of Gran
Canaria, it is strategically located between the natural
reservation of the Maspalomas dunes and the yacht
harbour of Pasito Blanco right on Meloneras beach.
Offering panoramic views of the mountains, this par-71
track was designed by by US golf course architect Ron
Kirby, creator of the Old Head and Dromoland Castle
in Ireland.
Salobre Golf & Resort
The only resort in Gran Canaria with two 18 hole
golf courses — Salobre Golf South (old course) and
North (new). Situated in a typical landscape at the
southern part of the island with ravines, volcanic earth,
views of mountains and sea. The lush scenery and
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Lopesan Meloneras
BOASTING FLAT, WIDE FAIRWAYS, IT’S CARESSED BY COOLING
SEA BREEZES AND WITH A PAR OF 73 THERE’S PLENTY OF SCOPE
TO OPEN YOUR SHOULDERS AND LET FLY
GRAN CANARIA
ESSENTIALS
Artenara is a town in the mountains
in the central-western part of Gran
Canaria. Situated 1,270 metres
above sea level, it is the highest
village on the island. The town is
famous for its cave houses and cave
churches, in particular the church of
the Virgen de la Cuevita.
The Canary Islands have an
ancient history and there is no
better example of the aboriginal
culture than the museum and
archaeological site surrounding the
Cueva Pintada or Painted Cave.
Built around the remains of the
original aborigine settlement, it is
a relic of times long gone before
the Europeans arrived to colonise
the islands. The museum takes its
name from the most spectacular
part of the rock paintings. Situated
in Gáldar, in the north-west of
the Gran Canaria, a visit to the
museum is a must for anyone who
is interested in the ancient history
of these volcanic islands. All visits to
Cueva Pintada must be guided visits
so you have to book in advance.
You can reserve your time by calling
928 895 746 or get your ticket at
the Caja de Canarias cash machine
via the entradas.com service.
Surfing is growing rapidly as a major draw to the
island. Thanks to its location, the waters surrounding
the island are always warm and welcoming. Around
December the surf is at its best and the sea is a
comfortable 18°C on average.
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