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Welcome to the details page for our annual overseas event. In 2010 we move to the Polaris World Complex (Murcia Airport 20 mins) to play over the famous Nicklaus Trail courses. |
Update 1st September Two really fine courses, a selection of bars and eating places within walking distance and many more within a short €7 taxi hop to neaby Roldan. The writer and Colin Grant, a fellow member, spent a couple of days at the resort to make sure that facilities were up to scratch and can report very positively. If you are still swithering book now with confidence. The doubles will take place over the La Torre course which winds through the complex. It is a reesort style course in very good condition with some exciting carres over water. Bunkers are large and plentiful but flat with low lips and so pose no great difficulty. Greens are a fine density and roll beautifully. The course is ideal for doubles at par 68 and partners will have little reason to fall out. Hacienda Riquelme is the venue for the practice round and singles. About 15 minutes away there will be a daily coach shuttle which we encourage members to use to keep costs down and to allow a relaxing beer afterwards. Riquelme is a differemt proposition. Built with championship golf in mind it requires equal measures of skill and course management. We are looking to bring the yardage down from the full stretch of 7000+ and shall end up with a combination of challenge and enjoyment. Greens are more undulating than La Torre. We are promised that pace will be fast medium but not impossible. The course is the latest addition to the Nicklaus Trail and having been opened for two years retains a linksy feel with challenging and fairly deep bunkers in play for most shots. 9th and 18th holes are a typical Nicklaus flavour. They run parallel and curl round opposite sides of a large lake which cuts into the approaches to both greens. Elaine McBride, formerly head pro at the Hacienda del Alamo academy, has moved to La Torre and, with director of Golf Antonio Solano Ardil, has proactively set about re-vamping club and academy facilities. Luke Murphy is Commercial Manager for the Resort and was a willing and enthusiastic guide for our visit. The following article appeared recently in the Daily Mirror and gives you some idea of what to expect.
OLÉ IN ONE By Karin Wright 29/08/2010 Eastern Spain has it all: late sun, beaches, bars and history.. oh, and did we mention the golf? When it comes to golf, I have always been of the Mark Twain school of thought - it's a good walk spoiled. So it was with much amusement that I found myself on a driving range in Spain, smacking divots out of the turf as I tried, as Churchill famously said, to learn to "hit a very small ball into an even smaller hole, with weapons singularly ill-designed for the purpose". But I'd come to Polaris World's spectacular La Torre Golf Resort in the south-east of Spain and figured it would be rude to spend the entire trip lolling by the pool or languishing in the spa. So while the boys went off to conquer a full 18 holes on the par 68 Jack Nicklaus-designed course, I signed up for an introductory golf lesson. The closest I had previously come to the sport was a game of crazy golf on the beachfront in Margate the previous weekend, which my golfer boyfriend told me I should mention to the teacher.I wish I'd realised he was joking, because she looked at me with a mixture of pity and trepidation when I shared this with her at the start of the lesson. Off to a flying start, then. Which is more I can say for the balls... Luckily, golf pro Elaine was the epitome of patience - she worked hard to find the right balance between imparting a bit of technical stuff while still holding my interest in the 38C heat.So... the right grip? Check. The right stance? Check. The right swing? Check. Getting all three in sync and actually connecting with the ball? Erm... Who knew whacking a little dimpled sphere around a field could be so tricky? But I kept plugging away and finally managed to lift a few balls in the air and in the right direction (although not necessarily at the same time...). And Elaine, bless her, applauded my efforts and kindly said it didn't look like this was my first time wielding a golf club. Very nice of her, but I don't think Tiger Woods has to worry about adding me to his list of problems any time soon.Although I wasn't quite ready for the real thing, accomplished golfers can play on one of three Polaris courses in the area, all designed by the legend Jack Nicklaus (even I'd heard of him...). Having done my duty on the golfing front, I decided to explore what other delights this sprawling resort holds for golf widows. Turns out, quite a lot. La Torre sprang from the olive groves just a few years ago and is now a rambling self-contained village of 2,500 villas and apartments (some lived in permanently, others rented out), a five-star hotel, shops, bars, restaurants, leisure facilities, doctors, hair salons, banks and even a school. Oh, and the golf course. All set in 350 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, lakes and greens. After my hour of torturing golf balls, I figured I deserved a snack, so headed off to the El Roble tapas bar for some delightful nibbles - so much for a "light lunch"... I was tempted to order "one of everything, por favor!" Tummy groaning, I decided a bit of pampering was in order. I gave myself over to the expert ministrations of the girls at The Thai Room Spa at the InterContinental Hotel, and enjoyed a wonderful facial and surprisingly deep massage. A very tiny lady managed to get rid of some very large knots brought on my the frustration on the driving range. I could have indulged in the steam room, sauna or indoor swimming pool, but I decided that stockpiling some sunshine for winter was a far better idea, so I bagged a sunlounger next to the infinity pool. Bliss. The peace was shattered when the guys came back from their golf game and we met up in the Irish bar, The Clover, for riveting discussions of pars, bogies and doglegs on the ninth. By all accounts the lake ended up with quite a few more golf balls in it than it had before... And so to dinner... should we have posh tapas at La Vinoteca? Paella at Limonero? The buffet at Encina? All these options were available within stumbling distance of our hotel rooms at the InterContinental. But we opted for Italian at the Acacia Trattoria, and sat near the pool and feasted on tender calamari, superb pizzas and melt-in-the-mouth pasta. Then it was off to Bamboo overlooking the lake to toast a very successful day with a few cocktails. Sightseeing in 40C heat is not much fun with a hangover, but we bravely ventured out of the village to explore Murcia the next day.The resort is close to the Costa Calida, between the Costa Blanca and Costa Almeria - Murcia airport is just 15 minutes away and Alicante airport is an hour north. The area is famous for its beautiful beaches, and a shuttle bus from the hotel will get you to one of them in 20 minutes.This part of the country has an average of more than 300 days of sunshine a year, so pack your bucket and spade for a holiday in any season. The regional capital, Murcia, is just over half an hour from the resort and has a splendid baroque cathedral and palace.Wa n d e r a r o u n d t h e pedestrianised squares in the old town, quenching your thirst at any number of tapas bars.Cartagena - 30 minutes due south - is another local treasure. This is an important naval base, but the town retains its charm with a magnificent array of buildings, from the Roman theatre to the Art Nouveau Grand Hotel. Further north up the coast is buzzing Alicante, which lays claim to one of the most beautiful promenades in Spain.The splendid Esplanada de España has millions of marble tiles laid out between rows of palm trees along the seaside - perfect for an evening stroll when the city comes alive. Don't miss the Castle of Santa Bárbara which presides over the town and provides spectacular views from Mount Benacantil. Traipsing around the local towns aside, there are plenty of activities on offer in the area, including wine-tasting, go-karting, tennis, quad-biking, scuba diving, snorkelling and horse-riding. But the boys wanted to head back to the main attraction - those 18 little holes. I'd had my golf lesson, so on the strength of that I decided, what the hell... if you can't beat 'em - head back to the pool. Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-sport/golf/2010/08/29/ol-in-one-115875-22521862/#ixzz0yPRCGG87 Update 9th August. We now have sufficient numbers to ensure the tournament goes ahead but would ask those who intend to travel and who have not yet advised Gordon MacDonald (gordon@corriemar.demon.co.uk ) to do so as soon as possible in order that we can complete the doubles pairings etc. We ask tourists to make their own arrangements for flights and accommodation. There are apartments and an hotel onsite and these can be booked direct through the resort. These are shown below together with other accommodation options. Those who have already indicated that they will go please remit the sum of £230 to Jim and Peter Kinloch. This sum covers golf fees for 6 rounds including practice and the entry money for both singles and doubles. Wives and partners wishing to play golf will recieve the same preferential rates on a pro rata basis depending on the number of rounds played. There is no need to remit that in advance. Arrangements for transporting those not hiring cars are under way as we look for the most cost efficient option. Please advise your travel arrangements and any transit requirements when these are known. We are getting very good reports on the two courses we are to use and look forward to a great week's golf and company.
We are very pleased to have secured favourable terms from Polaris World and that, combined with the Tournament facilities package offered, led to the decision to stage this year's event over the resort courses. There is a good variety of catering onsite and at the nearby Spanish Village of Roldan is minutes away. Quality of apres-golf looks good. The local Supermarket gets very good reviews. Dates for 2010 are October 24th to 31st Sequence as before Monday 25th October Practice Round Tuesday 26th, Wednesday 27th Doubles Event. One round fourball better ball, one round greensomes Defending Champions: Brian Smith (Kilmacolm) and Ian Jeen (Milngavie) Thurs 28th to Saturday 30th Murcia Seniors Singles Championships Defending Champion: Ian Brotherston (Dumfries & County) Costs: Golf: 6 rounds including practice €230 includes transfers apartment-course when required Accommodation- serviced apartments €160 per person the week assuming 4 sharing. Hotel: Negotiated rate is €93 per room per night based on 2 sharing Entry Fees €25.00 Buggies €60 per person per week Practice Balls Free Ladies Golf and practice facilities on a pro rata cost basis with the men.
Check out the resorts on http://www.nicklausgolftrail.es We shall keep you up to date but it is hoped to play the doubles over La Torre and the Singles over Hacienda Requeime (venue for the 2011 Spanish Seniors) Meantime feel free to book up your flights and please advise Gordon MacDonald on gordon@corriemar.demon.co.ukof your intention to travel and your numbers. For alternative accommodation if apartments are not for you contact Kevin and Beverley Rhodes. Kelvin and Bev manage a good portfolio of properties on and around the resort. KELVIN AND BEV RHODES
There is also a large selection on http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/polaris-world-resorts/s/2629/fa/find.squery Most entries have a button enabling direct contact with the owners- often a useful tool where supply exceeds demand. One or two travellers felt that the six round trek round the Championship course was a bit heavy going last year. This year we have proposed an optional secondary tournament on a shorter course, play two rounds any time between Thursday and Saturday. Stableford format, ladies involved, arrange own tee times and partners and return your cards to the tournament office.
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