La Finca Golf

Opened for play in 2002, the course at La Finca is a Pepe Gancedo layout of distinction. Dubbed “the Picasso of golf” by golf journalist Peter Dobereiner, Gancedo is perhaps better known for his work at Costa Adeje and Golf del Sur on Tenerife in the Canary Islands, or at El Chaparral on the Costa del Sol, but the artistic talents of this revered Spanish golf legend shine through here for all to see.

The panache of Gancedo’s design is evident early in the round, where the par three 3rd plays to a wide, shallow green that’s shaped as a Biarritz, with a deep gully in the middle of the putting surface separating the plateau on either side. The par four 7th is another memorable hole, doglegging right and uphill to a large, square green with a deep L-shaped bunker positioned in the rear right corner of the putting surface.

On the back nine, the par five 11th is another rather unique hole with an unusual green complex that’s fronted by a cascading stream which cuts across the fairway fifty metres in front of it. Starting out from a high vantage point, the tree-lined hole heads toward a really challenging two-tiered green with a steep bank guarding the front and a large bunker circling almost the entire area of the putting surface.

The final par five on the scorecard returns golfers to the impressive clubhouse, positioned high on the hill overlooking the home green. Tee shots must avoid the water hazard that crosses the fairway at the landing area then approach shots have to steer clear of the large bunker running along the right side of a long, three-tiered green which slopes from back to front. It’s rated stroke index 12 but this hole presents a testing finish to the round.