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Voice of Midwest Golf . . . with Ivan Morris
ARE you fed up with playing golf in the rain? Would you like to leave the longest-lasting period of miserable weather in living memory behind and head off to one of the driest and sunniest areas in Europe?
There is one snag. Ryanair - the airline that charges more for carrying baggage than passengers is reported to be putting up the cost of transporting sports equipment to €100 per return trip on October 1st. That move won't help to fill aeroplanes! However, if golfers longing for some sun on their backs are willing to act on genuine advice and are quick on the draw in booking their flights before October, they can avoid the 'sting.'
Murcia, in south eastern Spain, came relatively late to the golfing boom, but it is a wonderful destination at least the equal of the better known Algarve and Costa del Sol.
San Javier Airport is located right beside the Mar Menor Lagoon at Los Alcazares and is ten minutes away from the 2-years old, superb, Roda Golf & Beach Resort (www.rodagolfcourse.com). It is an early evening flight from Shannon but if you decide to stay at Roda, you can be out on the fairways within minutes of finishing breakfast.
Designed by Dave Thomas, the Roda course was built on flattish terrain in compliance with USGA specifications. There are several spectacular views, three attractive lakes with a variety of wildlife and other features that preserve ecological balance. The 18-holes, par-72, measures a hefty 6,755 yards and has strategically placed bunkers, gentle undulations and large greens; everything you need in a game of golf. I particularly enjoyed the PGA Academy with the most-advanced technology to help golfers improve, including GASP (analysis through video recording), a SAM Puttlab system, 3D modelling, a force platform and a launch tracking system. A spacious, 'private' practice area provided me with the perfect ambiance to work on my swing.
Everything you could possibly want in the line of food and beverages is available in the brand new, Roda clubhouse. Facilities include: garden areas, swimming pools, restaurants, tennis and a private Beach Club on the Mediterranean coast, only a few minutes away by car or shuttle where typically Spanish and other ethic restaurants and bars are located.
Roda has an extremely attractive offer at the moment. Excluding flights, for an all-inclusive total of only €390 pp (based on a minimum-sized group of 8) - 5 nights accommodation in a luxury apartment, three rounds of golf (2 at Roda and 1 at El Valle), all transfers to and from Murcia (San Javier) Airport and to the Jack Nicklaus-designed, desert-style El Valle golf course are included as well as the Spanish Golf Federation's obligatory poll tax charge of €3 per player per day. A Donegalman, Michael McGee, is your contact – you won't meet a more friendly or helpful fellow-golfer! Tel: 0034 968 144 148 or email: mcgee@rodagolf.com. By all means tell him I sent you!
I do not like publishing green fees because today's tendency for for 'special offers' can vary so much. My wife and I paid an average of €30 per head (incl a free buggy) at most of the courses. The highest fee was €90 for two at La Peralaja (incl buggy) but this Seve Ballesteros masterpiece was worth it.
On a gorgeous day, we had driven along the A3319, past Torre Pacheco and Suscina to reach an artistic design in remote, rustic surroundings featuring copious water and island greens. On three, separate occasions I had to take off my shoes and stand in the agua to make a stroke.
We had the stunning course to ourselves and felt as if we we were in a private world.
As we prefer to avoid groups and travel independently, we hired a perfectly located, fully fitted, 2-bedroom, comfortable villa, only twenty minutes north of San Javier Airport, overlooking the lush fairways of the Campoamor golf course for €190 per week - 'Casa Sylvia,' (http://www.villasylvia.co.uk/)
Ideal for families, 'Casa Sylvia' is situated on the Campoamor Dehesa close to Cabo Roig on the outskirts of Torrevieja; beaches and shops are nearby and there are at least twenty golf course all within a 45-minute drive.
Fabulous evening meals for under €15, including wine, are available in nearby restaurants.
We were greeted by an English-speaking agent who showed us the ropes and told us all we needed to know as well as giving us a folder, full of ideas on how to spend one's time in the area.
Waking up to bright, sunshine every morning and looking out the bedroom window over a lush, green golf course was a tonic!
Sad to report, Campoamor golf failed to satisfy.
There were four or five poorly-conceived holes on the hilly, layout that did not reward my good shots!
For more info on golfing in Murcia check out:
www.clubmurcia.com
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Weather for Limerick
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 8 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
