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“is is a true links course with natural sand in the bunkers, with undulating sand dunes along the sea and often a strong wind that affects your game, especially in the afternoon,” adds José. e remaining 11 holes lie in a wooded terrain with dense shrubbery, tall umbrella pines, deep bunkers and lovely lush fairways. e course has a wonderful combination of tranquil wooded areas, parkland, stunning sea views and challenging winds.
Conservation area El Saler Golf Course is located in Albufeira National Park and has been awarded a prize for the way it has been designed in harmony with nature. “Fortunately, in 1970 they introduced restrictions on building construction in this area, and so the plans to turn this location into a tourist area with hotels and restaurants, was suspended,” José explains. “e hotel, affiliated with the golf club, has been
modernized and now belongs to the Spanish hotel chain Paradores. Anyone staying at the hotel gets to play the course for half price. “I saw Bernhard Langer set the course record of 62 strokes when he won the Spanish Open in 1984. It was an experience I will never forget,” he adds. Even Sergio Garcia plays here as often as he can. He is so excited about this golf course that he comes here at least twice a year, which confirms that this is a world-class course. But in 26 years nobody has played it better than Bernhard Langer – El Saler is a tough play!
Dynamic city Just a few miles north along the coast lies Valencia. A perfect city to explore when taking a break from the fairway. Many cities tear down old buildings to build new – but here they retain the old.
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