Course:  La Manga Resort
Location: Cartagena, Murcia
Course Designer: Robert D Putman (North & South) & Dave Thomas (West)
Established: 1971
North Course
Par: 71 – five par 3´s, nine par 4´s, four par 5´s
This is an undulating course that sprawls between palm trees, lakes and barrancas. These natural storm gullies are featured on all three of the courses and certainly add dimension to the game.
Slightly shorter than the South and larger greens and tighter fairways, the North course offers a different but no less challenging round of golf. The greens, all built to USGA specification, is the amount of movement that has been incorporated in them. None more so than the short Par 3, 2nd which has three distinct plateaux making it a great putting tester. Relying on precision rather than length there is the added challenge of a variety of water hazards that snake through the course.
This gem will provide a stern test of shot making for all golfers of all standards.
South Course
Par: 73 – four par 3´s, nine par 4´s, four par 5´s
The Championship course, the South, is probably one of the fairest tests of golf you can get. At 6,499 meters from the White Tees and accepted as a top tournament course it also provides a thorough test for the scratch player and right across the handicap range.
Being located in the centre of the valley and having wide palm-fringed fairways and water hazards on 15 of the 18 holes, this course holds a few hidden dangers.
The South Course has been the venue for any major professional tournaments including Spanish Opens (ladies and mens), PGA Championships and Qualifying Schools.
West Course
Par: 72 – five par 3´s, eight par 4´s, five par 5´s
The West Course´s design follows closely the natural contours of the land. Set amid serene pine woodlands, its distinct character makes a good alternative to the more classical championship courses.
With frequent changes in elevation this is a deceiving course and the tight front nine demands accurate driving to avoid the barrancas while the back nine, set amongst the hills, while being more open is nonetheless challenging.
Because of its unique setting and outstanding views this course is the favourite of many golfers, due to the challenge offered by its narrow fairways, blind shots and gullies snaking through the course, making accuracy and good golf management as opposed to length very much a premium.
La Manga Golf has now launched their golf academy as The La manga Club Golf Training Center by Thomas Johansson