Alhama

Formed in 2001, Polaris World was by far the largest golf resort developer in Murcia, with half a dozen projects located in close proximity to each other in the south east of Spain. Together with Nicklaus Design, the company established the Nicklaus Golf Trail (now known as the less catchy “IRM Nike Golf / 6 Nicklaus”), which offers golfers a total of six courses within a 25-kilometre radius.

The Golden Bear’s Signature course at Alhama is the flagship venue in a portfolio that comprises Mar Menor, La Torre, Saurines, El Valle and Hacienda Riquelme. In time, the intention was to expand the golfing facilities at Alhama to host a total of three Jack Nicklaus Signature courses but those proposals never materialised.

Measuring 6,918 metres from the tips, the inaugural Alhama course is routed around five large lakes, with wide, resort-style fairways leading to large, receptive greens. A total of 116 sand bunkers are placed strategically around the layout with a paspalum grass semi-rough on every fairway forming a transition area between the golf course and its natural surroundings.