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Opened in 1998, Almenara Golf – with 27 holes comprising three distinctive nine-hole layouts – was created by former Ryder Cup player and prestigious golf course designer Dave Thomas.

The course includes a magnificent academy, possibly one of the best equipped in southern Spain, and is located within a superb resort: hotel, spa, restaurants, etc.

Even though I visit it regularly, it had been years since I had played the course. Many aspects have changed since then. Among other things, the club has a new golf manager, Ricardo Andrades, who has extensive experience in the industry. For more than 15 years he has been working hard juggling both the marketing and international tour operator segments in this important tourism industry.

Also brought on board two years ago was greenkeeper José María Menacho, who has achieved some spectacular results. The course is now in stunning shape.

As is starting to become a pleasant habit, on this occasion I once again played with the new head-pro, Rafael Lavigne. Club professionals have an exhaustive knowledge of their course: they are familiar with every corner, every tree, every bunker strategically located; they know the shot that needs to be played at all times, the iron that should be used…

Of the three nine-hole Almenara layouts, Rafael chose Los Alcornoques and Los Lagos (the third is Los Pinos), as he considered them to be the most challenging and attractive. Minutes later, I fully understood the reasons for his choice: very few courses can provide such a setting, with the vegetation, so much water… They are by no means easy for a mid to high-handicapper, and you are always going to want to repeat the experience.

The first hole on Los Alcornoques, a par-4 of 381 metres and handicap-8, has an elevated tee, with out of bounds to the left and water to the right. You can use a driver, but without having to force it too much. The second shot leaves an approach of 130 to 140 metres to a fairly small green protected by a bunker to the left and water behind. It is almost better to play up short.

The par-3 second, 161 metres, is not particularly difficult. The tee is also elevated and the green has two pronounced levels, with two bunkers on the left and right.

The third is the first par-5 of the layout. It measures 495 metres and is handicap-11. For the tee shot it is best not to hit anything more than a wood or 3-iron, as a stream crosses the fairway and you can reach it from the tee. The second shot is strategic: you must decide either to leave it short, in front of a bunker located in the middle of the fairway, or try to hit over the bunker with a 3-wood, which has to be a good one to reach the green or its surrounds. The green is fairly wide, with two levels and two bunkers protecting it on the right.

The fourth is another par-5, 453 metres, handicap-5. It is a dogleg left with a lake on the same side of the fairway coming into play from the tee. The tee shot has to be hit into the middle of the fairway as there is a bunker lying in wait on the right. It is best to leave the second shot short, as there is a large and complicated bunker just before the green, on the right.

The fifth is an attractive par-3 of 136 metres and handicap-18. The green is very wide and is surrounded by bunkers, with a small lake in front – though it is not a particularly difficult shot.

A 341-metre par-4, the sixth (handicap-2) is probably one of the most attractive holes on the layout. The whole fairway is bordered on the left by a huge lake. For medium-handicappers it is best to use the driver, but for low-handicappers a 3-wood or iron is preferable as the fairway is very narrow. The green is long and narrow, and is protected on both sides by bunkers.

The seventh, a 323-metre par-4, is also bordered by a large lake on the left, almost up to the green. There are two trees and a large bunker in the middle of the green. It is advisable to hit short of this sand hazard, then use an 8 or 9-iron. There is another small lake in front of the green on the right, and two bunkers on each side. This is a fairly tough hole.

The 348-metre eighth, par-4 and handicap-4, has an elevated tee, like most of this layout. You have to use the driver, but bearing in mind there is a large bunker on the right and another on the left. Before the green, a small stream crosses the fairway. Be careful not to hit short. This hole is also lined by water on the entire left side.

The final hole on the Los Alcornoques layout, the ninth, a 318-metre par-4, is not too difficult. The green was completed renovated a year and a half ago. It is a rising hole, with a large bunker on the right of the fairway, near the landing area, and red stakes all along the left of the hole. The renovated green includes two levels, making putting difficult.

The first hole of the Los Lagos layout is a par-4, 348 metres, dogleg left, which has various bunkers on the right of the fairway and another one about 50 metres ahead to trap the bigger hitters. You have to take a lot of care with the second shot, as there is an out of bounds on the left and a large tree in the middle of the fairway. There is another large and complicated bunker on the right of a green that is fairly large and quite difficult, due to its many slopes.

The second hole is a 152-metre par-3, sloping downwards. The large green is well protected by bunkers.

The 381-metre par-4 third is another spectacular hole at Almenara – fairly narrow and with a lot of water. The tee shot has to be hit with a 3-wood or iron, to avoid reaching the lake in front of you, which winds all the way to the back of the green on the right. The second shot is a tough one, as there are also four bunkers on the left and in front of the green. There is another one, and a lake, on the right – meaning you have to hit almost straight.

The fourth is a 438-metre par-4, handicap-4, where you have to aim towards the left to avoid a large lake on the right. There is an out of bounds on the left, and bunkers on the right and left of the landing area. The second shot requires accuracy, hitting to the left, as a lake continues up to the green, which has three levels.

The fifth, a 396-metre par-4, is handicap-1, a dogleg right of nearly 90 degrees, with bunkers on the left and right at the landing area, water crossing the fairway and out of bounds on the right. The second shot rises to one of the toughest greens on the course.

A 317-metre par-4, the sixth is another of Almenara’s emblematic holes, surrounded by water on almost every part. For a medium-handicapper it is best to hit a 3 or 5-wood. There is a large rock at the landing area on the left and a lake on the right. The second shot requires hitting over the water to reach a green that is well-protected by bunkers and water.

The seventh is a par-3, 164 metres and handicap-6. It is a long hole, as you have to hit over a lake to reach a green that begins narrow then divides into two levels. There is a small but deep bunker on the right.

The par-5 eighth is a moderate dogleg left of 456 metres. There is water along the right and out of bounds all along the left. The landing area is guarded by three small bunkers on the left. For the second shot it is best to hit up short, as the green is small and narrow.

The Los Lagos layout ends with a 338-metre par-4, handicap-3. There is water along the left and out of bounds on the right. The fairway is narrow, but rising, thus enabling you to hit a strong driver. The green is protected by two bunkers in front, and is on two levels – which seems to be the signature style for the course.

Almenara is the sort of course that leaves no one indifferent. You will always end the round with the feeling that you could have done much better, and with the desire to return and meet the challenge, once you have become more familiar with the course.

Its three layouts are completely different, more like three courses in one than anything else. Los Pinos, which this time we did not have the chance to play, is apparently easier, more designed for high-handicappers.

According to Rafael, the main holes on this layout are the first, a rising and attractive par-5; the third; the sixth, handicap-1; and the ninth, which ends at the clubhouse and NH Almenara Hotel.

I enjoyed a wonderfully sunny day of peace and quiet. I was impressed by the great quality of the renovated greens, and the work that had been done to maintain the course in perfect condition. After the round, sitting in the restaurant under a huge parasol, it was time to eat and drink something. At any other course this restaurant would be called the 19th Hole but here, for obvious reasons, it is the 28th Hole. The view, which extends over the Sotogrande macro-urbanisation, with the Mediterranean in the background, is captivating. I came out of my state of delight when a friendly waiter diligently made a note of my order. Almost immediately, a beer was on the table, and I had barely finished that when the smoked salmon arrived. Maximum efficiency.

The food was good and the bill, moderate. Just the view alone made it worth the price. Without a doubt I will be returning.

Almenara Golf Resort is part of NH Resorts, the holiday division of NH – also the case with NH Sotogrande just a few minutes away.

Already with more than 20 vacation hotels in Spain, Italy, the Caribbean and other destinations, NH Resorts recently inaugurated the group’s new jewel in Sicily: Donnafugata Golf Resort, a five-star resort with two magnificent golf courses – a links and a parkland layout. The latter was designed by the “Black Knight” himself, Gary Player. The complex is hosting the inaugural Sicilian Open, a European Tour event, in March.

For more information about NH Resorts’ hotels, visit: www.nh-resorts.com.