TT OCTOBER Issue 161_Layout 1 21/09/2014 10:40 Page 14
14 TEE TIMES
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OCTOBER 2014
Lauro Golf Resort One of the most desirable golf courses in Southern Spain
Looking back to the first time I played at Lauro Golf it is difficult to remember the course has it used to be. Significant changes have been made not only to the golf course itself but also to the way the course is played. Great efforts have been made to make Lauro Golf Resort one of the most desirable golfing destinations in Southern Spain, including a much stricter dress code and greater emphasis on reducing slow play. The results are plain to see with golfers flocking in from all over Europe to stay and play the 27 hole course.
The 3rd is a 360 yard downhill par 4, the fairway is quite undulating and finding the cut grass is a must if you want to make the green in two. The 4th is a very demanding par 3 with a stroke index of 12, a 200 yard uphill tee shot will hopefully find the green, I have seen anything from a driver to a 5 iron used on this hole, especially if the wind is against you.
Lauro Golf has always been renowned for the quality of its putting surfaces, if you like fast receptive greens look no further. The original 18 holes at Lauro were first inaugurated in 1992; the course was constructed using the natural contours of the foothills of the Sierra de Mijas mountains with an abundance of native Holm Oak and Olive trees which helping to line the fairways. Combined with the other trees in the area, orange, lemon, avocado, almond and pomegranate you soon become aware of the outstanding beauty that surrounds you.
The 5th is a wonderful par 5, the fairway doglegs right, leaving you with an approach shot through a narrow gap in the trees, there have been major changes to this hole with new boundary markers and the cutting back of some of the trees. The 7th is also a dogleg par 5, almost impossible to reach in two shots unless your drive is long enough to cut across the dogleg with your second; this is another great golfing hole.
Course designer, Folco Nardi, did an exceptionally fine job in creating a woodland style golf course, which unlike other courses in the area can easily be walked. You can understand why Folco was asked back in 2002 to add another 9 holes, creating 3 very challenging loops of 9 holes.
Moving on to the back nine, the 10th is a strait forward par 4 and another good birdie chance, the 11th a par 3 of just 132 yards has a well protected green with many over hanging trees, miss the green on the left and you are in big trouble, I have known many a good score ruined on this hole. This just happens to be my wife Sylvia’s favourite hole, ever since she achieved a hole in one.
Standing on the 1st tee and looking down the narrow fairway stretching out in front of you, one may be excused for being a bit hesitant with your club selection, their are luxury houses and villas run down the right hand side and splitting the 1st fairway is a small water hazard with magnetic powers. This water hazard is only 150yards away but ends up being the watery grave of many golf balls. The first and the par 3 second are both good birdie chances, both being quite short in length, with large receptive greens.
The 11th is a very interesting hole, a 350 yard dogleg par 4 with a green that can be driven from the tee. A well hit drive across the corner shortens the hole by about 100 yards, having said that you still have some very mature trees to avoid before finding the heavily bunkered putting surface. Over 600 yards separates tee from green on the 13th, understandably this is stroke index one, birdies are few and far between, I consider a bogey on this hole to be not a bad score.
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The new nine hole loop takes you across the main road via a small tunnel and further into the foothills of the Sierra de Mijas Mountains, slightly more hilly than the previous two nine hole loops, but still easily walked. When you think that these nine holes are only two years old, they are in remarkably good condition, the greens are true and very fast. I always look forward to returning to the club house at Lauro, the original Cortijo (farmhouse) has been converted into a splendid courtyard area where you can relax, eat and drink after your round has been completed. The club house restaurant has just been taken over by Salvador Gallardo who runs the Hotel Tamisa Golf, I know that his involvement will make the club house even more appealing , his reputation for quality and service is second to none. To sum up Lauro Golf Resort is an exceptionally good challenge of golf, the setting is quite breathtaking making Lauro Golf one of the most popular courses on the coast. Make a day of it, enjoy your round of golf and then finish it off with a good meal in the club house restaurant. The girls in the pro shop all speak very good English and will make you feel very welcome. Golfing holidays staying at Lauro Golf have become very popular over the last few years, there are some fabulous places to stay, luxury villas run along side the 1st fairway, offering excellent value for money, give it a try you will not be disappointed. If you would like to play or stay at Lauro Golf or have any questions about golf on the Costa el Sol please give Sungolf a call on 0115 9681007.
BELEK