The golf travel market to the Iberian Peninsula has long been dominated by the well-established and well-oiled commercial machinery that is the Algarve and Costa del Sol. These regions have served golf travellers well over the years but those with a more intrepid nature may well be on the look-out for an alternative, as these regions become increasingly more anglicised and, in some cases, overpriced.
Nestling between the golfing heavyweights of the Costa del Sol and the Algarve lies the Costa de la Luz. Named after the bright little buildings that permeate the stunning natural landscape of the region, the Costa de la Luz runs from the great Guadiana River in the west through the Doñana National park in the East and onward towards Gibraltar through the region of Cadiz. It is a largely unspoilt landscape that is gently edging its way into the psyche of the golf traveller.
The area sits in the province of Huelva to the west of Jerez and Cadiz and to the South of Seville and is part of the well-established golfing territory of Andalucia. The local tourist board is proud of their environmentally conscious development strategy and feels lessons have been learned from some of the mistakes made by their more opulent high-rise neighbours. For example, any new accommodation projects that are authorised have a maximum height limit of five storeys and those responsible for the development of golf courses and facilities are bound to integrate their designs into the local landscape and ecosystem.
The result is a quiet, unassuming region that is still as popular with Spanish and Portuguese visitors as it is becoming with the more traditional golfing visitor from Germany, Scandinavia and Great Britain. With good weather all year round and an increasing level of choice, it is not difficult to see why interest in this golfing territory is on the up.
In terms of accommodation, the Costa de la Luz offers everything from rented private villas through to fully integrated five-star hotels with conference, golf and leisure facilities. The latest addition to the region is the El Rompido Golf Resort, which sits on the edge of a tidal lagoon overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It boasts a five star hotel complete with full health spa, conference and leisure facilities along with a four-star aparthotel with its own shops and crèche. The apartments are well appointed and each has a terrace overlooking the 2 stunning championship courses.
The courses sprawl across an intriguing mix of parkland and marshland and offer some amazing views – the walk from the 8th green to the 9th tee on the original South Course takes you across a 650ft pontoon navigating the protected marshland where you can see freshwater crabs and an abundance of bird life. As testament to how well the El Rompido golf resort has integrated its first course into the local flora and fauna, the local authority permitted them license to build another 18 holes to the west of the original course, which opened in mid-2006. This extra capacity is welcome as visitor numbers increase.
In terms of golf courses, the Costa de la Luz (Huelva) region currently offers 9 quite different golfing challenges ranging in length and difficulty. One of its sternest challenges, nestling in the hills a couple of kilometres inland is the Castro Marim Golf Club. Ironically, this course, despite being the farthest inland of the courses in the region, offers arguably the most links-like test of golf. Just like El Rompido, it makes the most of its natural surroundings and has a second course opening in 2008. There is also a superb new clubhouse and numerous stylish villa and apartment projects are popping up on the facility.
A less demanding test can be found along the coast to the east at Bellavista. Situated on the flatter coastal land, this club is the oldest in Spain and was established by English pioneers almost one hundred years ago. It sits between two marshland inlets half way along the 72 km stretch of EU blue flag beach that the area proudly boasts.
A few kilometres further down the coast road and past the capital of the Province, Huelva, you will find the well established course at Dunas de Doñana. Bordering the edge of Spain’s largest national park – a UNESCO world heritage site for nature, this course makes clever use of water and the natural landscape to produce a sublime golfing challenge that befits the stunning surroundings. The park itself provides habitat for numerous rare or protected species of fish, mammals and reptiles. It is perhaps most famous for it’s variety of bird life, acting as a staging post for migrating species flying south for the winter – golfers included!
The region of Cadiz with it’s variety of historic Spanish culture offers a great range of excellent golfing challenges. The latest addition to the golf offering in the area is the Arcos Garden Golf & Country Club and with investment in the area leading to such excellent facilities the whole region is now firmly on the European golfing map.
It is this combination of natural beauty, great golf and accommodation facilities and unspoilt surroundings that inspired the formation of Golf de la Luz Limited. As the only golf tour operator established solely to market this fascinating emerging region, Golf de la Luz Limited feel confident this hidden gem has more than enough to offer the more adventurous golf traveller. Just one hour from either Faro or Seville airports, (where you can enjoy a round at the prestigious Real Seville course), Huelva, Cadiz and the Costa de la Luz are ideally placed to provide peaceful solitude without isolation.
With ample amenities for non-golfers, conference organisers or those who want more than just golf from their trip, the region is well placed to satisfy and will leave a lasting impression. Why not get in touch with Golf de la Luz Limited and see what your tailor-made holiday to the Costa de la Luz has in store for you?
Golf de la Luz Limited offers tailor-made golf packages to this region flying to Faro, Jerez or Seville Airports all year round.
The company has well established links with the local tourist board, accommodation providers and golf courses and is well placed to offer advice on the area.
The company philosophy is to build holidays, conferences and incentive trips around the needs of our clients through a truly bespoke process by listening to our customers needs.
Register your details on our website today and receive 5% discount on summer ’07 prices. Please quote promotional code EOS1.