Spanish club reopens after significant winter work

By Alistair April 21, 2019 17:22 Updated

Club de Golf Alcanada in Spain has reopened following an ambitious winter revamp.

An extensive £600,000 renovation project took place over the winter to replace all 18 greens, upgrade the irrigation, renew all sand in the bunkers and various other improvements.

Director of golf, Kristoff Both, said: “As well as the greens, we have also renewed the entrances to the greens – around five metres of new turf. It’s not the ideal time to plant Bermuda grass because it is dormant in the winter so it looks a little yellow but then becomes green again as the ground temperatures are rising.”

Both insists the vast majority of the early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive about the upgrade – especially from those who might occasionally be quick to point out any failings.

He said: “We hosted a tournament for the staff members of the other golf courses in Mallorca. It was a good test for us to have these people who would never be too shy in being critical about us! We had some of the local club pros, restaurant workers, maintenance workers and directors of golf. It was great fun.

“These people all know golf and they all know how hard it is to maintain a golf course. They were all saying ‘Wow. You guys did a great job this winter’. It was very positive for us and the professionals who played thought the greens were amazing.

“The course is a living animal. It is already really good but will only get better and better in the next few weeks and months as we add more finishing touches.

“The greens are playing very, very well and they look awesome. The last hole was only turfed recently and they are just a little slower than we are used to – they are around 9.5 on the Stimpmeter when we are usually at around 10.5-11. But they will get quicker in a matter of weeks.

“Most of us know that the number one priority on a golf course is the greens and they are absolutely cracking.”