Hacienda Riquelme

With fairways routed round a substantial residential development, the course at Hacienda Riquelme is a new millennium Nicklaus Design layout that features a handful of lakes, a multitude of sand bunkers and plenty of multi-tiered greens.

The course occupies land that was formerly used as an olive grove and many mature trees have been retained in strategic positions. Fairways are generally wide but the bunkering is prolific and greens are boldly contoured, with many of the putting surfaces multi-tiered.

Water comes into play at almost half the holes on the scorecard, especially on the front nine at the 4th to 7th which are routed round a couple of adjacent ponds. Other highlight holes include heavily sand-protected short par fours on the 8th and 10th.

The course is configured with returning nines, each of which conclude – somewhat predictably cynics might say – with tough par four holes on either side of a central lake close to where the clubhouse might eventually be located (with water in play to the right of the 9th and to the left on the 18th).