Golfers can stay putt in Murcia

Golf is big business in Murcia, and no wonder. With a warm climate, plenty of sunshine all year round and beautiful scenery, the clubbing set are flocking to the region to take advantage of the near-perfect conditions.

Currently there are 12 golf clubs up and running, but many more are in various stages of development.

By the year 2009, it’s estimated that Murcia will boast 50 different courses, putting it on the map as one of Spain’s premier golfing destinations.

Courses currently open:

Altorreal Golf Club - 18 holes, Par 72

A championship course designed by Dave Thomas, opened in 1994 and surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.

Avenida de Golf, Urb. Altorreal, Molina de Segura, www.golfaltorreal.es, +34 968 648144

El Valle Golf Resort - 18 holes, Par 71

Opened in 2007 and part of Murcia’s Nicklaus Golf Trail, this compact championship course nestled in a desert valley provides a test of accuracy over power.

Rutilo El Valle Golf Resort, Banos y Mendigo, www.elvallegolfresort.com, +34 968 033 002

Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort - 18 holes, Par 72

A championship course designed by Dave Thomas and opened in 2004. Spanning 6,724 metres it’s currently the longest course in Spain, hosting 8 lakes and 84 bunkers, and is surrounded by lemon, olive and almond groves.

Avenida Hacienda del Alamo 10-12, Fuente Alamo, www.clubdegolfhda.com, +34 902 654 400

La Manga Club - Three 18-hole courses, North Course - par 71, South and West Courses both par 73

Three distinct championship courses are to be found in Europe’s most famous and award-winning sporting club. All provide differing landscapes and degrees of difficulty and all have hosted major events. A world renowned Golf Academy is also on site.

La Manga Club, Los Belones, http://golf.lamangaclub.com, +34 968 175 000 ext 1360

La Serena Golf Club - 18-hole, Par 72

Close to the beaches of the Mar Menor, this 6,100-metre course encircles the historical Torre del Rame lookout tower, constructed in the 16th century to watch for pirates hiding in the still waters of the Mar Menor.

Avenida Principe Felipe, Torre del Rame, Los Alcázares, www.serenagolfclub.es, +34 968 575 576

La Torre Golf Resort - 18-hole, Par 68

Located midway between Cartagena and Murcia, this undulating course designed by the great Jack Nicklaus is lined with tropical palms and features three lakes.

La Torre Golf Resort, Torre Pacheco, www.la-torre-golf-resort.com, +34 968 044 879

Mar Menor Golf Resort - 18-hole, Par 68

The original Dave Thomas designed layout was a 9-hole course but this is currently being extended into a Jack Nicklaus 18-hole course, due to be completed shortly.

Mar Menor Golf Resort, Torre Pacheco, www.polaris-world-resorts.com/golf_resorts/mar_menor/, +34 968 041 765

Mosa Trajectum Golf - 27-hole plus a 9-hole par 3, Par 72

27 championship holes provide a choice of three 18-hole courses – the Pine, Stone and Olive courses), plus a 9-hole par 3 challenge course. Hosted the PGA EuroPro Tour Championship in 2004.

Mosa Trajectum Golf Resort, Baños y Mendigo, www.clubmurcia.com, +34 968 607 209

Roda Golf and Beach Resort - 18-hole, Par 72

Designed by Dave Thomas, this relatively flat 6,137-metre course opened in June 2006 and can be played by golfers of all abilities. The 7th hole harbours an exceptionally pretty ‘island’ green.

Roda Golf and Beach Resort, Roda, San Javier, www.rodagolfcourse.com, +34 968 173 093

Sensol Golf Club - 18-hole, Par 72

Formerly know as the 9-hole Camposol Golf, Sensol Golf Club is located close to the Sierra Espunas and has recently benefited from a further nine challenging holes, bringing the par up to 72 for the18-hole course.

Ctra Mazarrón-Alhama km 9, Mazarrón, www.clubmurcia.com, +34 692 656 652

Torre Pacheco Golf Club - 9-hole, Par 27

One of the attractions of this short course is that you can play at night. Floodlights illuminate the greens and tight, testing fairways. The Club prides itself on its Golf School, and has over 100 young golfers improving their skills.

C/ Gregory Peters 1, Torre Pacheco, www.jurosa.com/golftorrepacheco.htm, +34 968 585 111

Veneziola Golf Club - 9-hole, Par 27

Nestled between the Mediterranean and the Mar Menor in a unique location at the tip of the La Manga strip, this tidy pitch and putt provides several challenges to your short game, not least with the ocean breeze.

Gan vía de La Manga, km 17, La Manga del Mar Menor, www.veneziola-golf.com, +34 968 147 082