Condado de Alhama golf course latest update May 2023

Alhama Signature Golf issue an update on the progress and plans for the Jack Nicklaus designed course

A report on the progress and an outline of future plans for the Condado de Alhama Golf Course has been issued by Lola López Martínez the Director of Golf for Alhama Signature Golf, part of the group that recently acquired the course after fears that it would have to close. The group have also invested in the building of new residences and planned aparthotel as well as a joint sports complex venture with the Town Hall of Alhama de Murcia.

The report starts by addressing the concerns regarding a water leak on the Condado Alhama Urbanisation on 13th May.

Because the design of the Signature course contains various natural areas of earth and esparto grass throughout the course, intense rainfall in a very short space of time produces runoffs, the immediate consequence of which is mud on paths, fairways and bunkers.

In order to solve this situation, machinery was hired on Monday 15th May to carry out work as quickly as possible, although it is necessary for these surfaces to be dry in order for the results to be more effective. External personnel have also been hired to speed up the work. Also, the fairways that escaped run-off mud have been cleaned and will be mown this week. 6 bunkers have suffered mud contamination and are therefore deemed to be ground under repair until the renovation process is completed, which will be carried out over the next few weeks. Over the next month or so work will also continue on the ruts generated by the run-off, although the weather forecast predicts a period of torrential rain which may cause a slight delay.

As the course is currently in a phase of active growth of the grass on the greens, mowing of the greens will proceed with a progressive lowering of the height of cut, as well as a more intensive programme of mowing, grooming and light topdressing, which will result in an increase in the speed of the greens as well as consistency in the roll of the ball. Information will be available about the process of micro-pinning of greens: this will be carried out in the following days while trying not to interfere with play. Another external company will be contracted to carry out this work. In the next few days all flags on the greens will be replaced, as well as flagsticks and greenside facilities.

The whole golf course, including the driving range, has been treated with 11 tonnes of fertiliser which will take effect after the rains when high temperatures are sustained over time.

Maintenance resources have increased by hiring more staff and the machinery fleet has been increased to carry out the daily work in order to be more effective and achieve the objectives of improving the course.

Other work carried out includes the roping off of the entire perimeter of the golf course and signposting to prevent non-players from entering the playing areas. Night-time surveillance has been contracted during the busiest periods for residents and holidaymakers, the result of which has been very effective in preventing vandalism and damage.

Improvements to the current facilities of the shop, offices and bar will continue until the Clubhouse is finished (work is scheduled to begin before the end of 2023).

At the request of Alhama Signature Golf, the RFEG (Royal Spanish Golf Federation) measuring team has re-evaluated Alhama Signature Golf course, finding some discrepancies between the previous and current measurements. Shortly the new corrected distances, stroke index and hole evaluation of the course will be published.

Alhama Signature Golf have introduced two golf professionals led by Jerome Janssen Koster at the Golf Academy. A new website where club members can book their tee times can be found on this link Alhama Signature Golf.

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