Montecastillo

Montecastillo is one of the most popular golf resorts in the world and it hosted the Volvo Masters Andalucia for five consecutive years beginning in 1997 when Lee Westwood won the event.

Spain’s equivalent of Wentworth in England – its magnificent , late 19th century, El Castillo clubhouse is constructed with similar crenellated walls – Montecastillo is situated on an enormous 400-acre property which also boasts indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, football pitches, a five-star hotel and villas that overlook the 18th hole of the golf course.

Located in the heart of the country’s main sherry and brandy producing region, Montecastillo was created by Jack Nicklaus in 1992 and it’s a long, demanding course, routed thoughtfully across rolling Andalucian terrain. In typical Nickalus style, everything is laid out quite clearly in front of you so it is playable by golfers of all abilities, provided they use the correct tee at every hole, of course!

Montecastillo is a splendid layout with some very testing holes and many visitors use buggies to cope with the often long, uphill or downhill walks from green to tees, particularly on the back nine.

The outward half is fairly open with water really only affecting the approach to the par four 7th green and the tee shot on the par three 8th hole. The inward half is a little tighter with the 13th hole having a great view of the Jerez Grand Prix circuit from the tee and the closing, par four, 18th elevated tee providing marvelous views of the hotel and castle.

Recent improvements have included the planting of 100-year-old olive trees around the course, the installation of a new drainage system and the introduction of silica sand to the bunker complexes.