The Royal Spanish Golf Federation has confirmed that La Cala Resort is the biggest golf complex in Spain. La Cala has three 18-hole championship courses and a top quality 6-hole par 3 course, making it the largest golf resort in Spain. The resort is highly regarded for the quality of the golf courses and sports facilities including the only David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Spain.
Hosting the Q-school for the Ladies European tour in November 2005 and 2006 as well as the Spanish Pairs Professional Championship in 2007 has proved that La Cala Golf Resort is highly regarded internationally. It is also worthy to mention that La Cala Resort got a Guinness World Record in 2007 by hosting the largest one day golf competition with 614 players.
The three 18-hole championship courses all offer a different challenge, Campo America (formerly the North Course) is longer than the tighter Campo Asia (formerly the South Course). The fairways of Campo Europa are generous from the tees and the greens are slightly larger than on the other 2 courses. They are not severely contoured but are well bunkered and will be easier for the average golfer. The par 71 course measures 6014 metres.
All three courses have been designed by Cabell B. Robinson. Course designer Cabell Robinson stresses the difference between the three courses: The three courses in La Cala Resort are all very different in character.
Stretching 6,014 metres with a par of 71, Campo Europa, the newest course at La Cala, is a dramatic yet approachable course designed with the average golfer in mind. Its generous fairways, flatter terrain, and slightly larger greens make it more forgiving than Campo America and Campo Asia, while still offering an engaging and scenic round.
Campo Europa differs mostly from the other courses of La Cala. Whilst the others are in the hills, the river Ojen plays a major role in Europa’s landscape, cutting across three fairways and coming into play on eight of the courses holes. Throughout the course there is one main bridge that measures 45 metres and four smaller bridges crossing over the river. The design also features four tunnels for buggies and maintenance machinery.
The 14th hole is the maximum length allowed for a par 3 at 233 metres.
The 11th is the longest hole, a par 5 measuring 524 metres.
A great deal of consideration has been placed into the protection of the native, indigenous plant species. Plants such as Lavender, Rockrose, Rosemary and Palmettos have been planted around the course along with groves of trees, including Cork Oak, Eucalyptus, Olive, Almond and Carob , covering half of the 100 hectares of the land.
The designer, Cabell Robinson, stressed the advantages of the new course for the average golfer: “The new course is not only dramatic but will also be easier for the average golfer. The fairways are generous from the tees and the greens are slightly larger than on the existing courses.”
Campo Europa’s blend of dramatic scenery and playability makes it an excellent choice for golfers seeking a challenging yet enjoyable round.
