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The beautiful 18-hole 72 par golf course on Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort designed by Jack Nicklaus is 6,416 metres long and was opened in 2008. It has hosted the Spanish Pro Championship, offering a stern test with its water hazards and bunkers.

 

The fairways of the Hacienda Riquelme “Championship” course run between olive trees, wild flowers and five lakes, and the fairways are sown with Paspalum grass which has a high saline tolerance. This helps to keep the springy turf in perfect condition all year round and economises on the use of water.

 

The trees and meadows have been incorporated into the design along with large manmade lakes, but don’t be fooled by the wider than normal fairways. Some rate this as the most challenging course on the Nicklaus Trail: the bunkering is rugged for such a well-manicured course, and some sand traps are up to three metres deep.

 

The unusual texture of the greens complements their contours and different tiers, making accurate approach play essential in order to avoid three-putting.

 

One of the most daunting holes is the 9th, where a lake runs all the way down the right hand side of the dogleg, punishing any sliced tee shots. The green is protected not only by the water but also by large bunkers which make the approach shot a stiff test.

 

The 18th is even more difficult! Here the water runs down the left of the narrowest fairway on the course and even if you reach the putting surface in two, the contoured green means that two putts are far from a formality.

 

There is also a driving range, a practice green and all the facilities and equipment typical of all Polaris courses.

 

The Pro Shop can be contacted for further enquiries at 0034 968 038 051 (8051 internal dialling).

 

 

A Hacienda Riquelme Golf Society plays every Monday. This is the heart of golf country in Murcia, and within about 15 minutes’ drive there are at least six other courses: La Torre, Las Terrazas de La Torre, Sierra Golf, La Tercia, Peraleja Golf and El Valle.