Son Gual, Mallorca's flagship course opens

Son Gual is located on the Spanish Island of Mallorca, the largest Balearic island and their new flagship course, opened its tees for play in October 2007.

Son Gual Golf Club is the brainchild of German businessman Adam Palmer – who has a second home on the island. Palmer wanted a decent course on which to play while holidaying in Mallorca.

We are planning to visit Son Gual in 2008 so we’ll share our experiences with you afterwards. The following article is courtesy of Simply Mallorca Golf:

“The creation of Golf Son Gual began in 1995 when a passionate golfer decided to realise his dream. His vision was to produce a beautiful manicured high quality course to complement the existing golfing opportunities on the island. The foundation stone was laid in 1998 following the purchase of the 160-hectare, Finca Son Gual.

From the many high quality designers considered for Son Gual project, renowned golf course architect and 3-time German Amateur Champion Thomas Himmel was eventually commissioned.

During the 4 years it took to craft this course over 2 million cubic metres of soil was moved, with the creation of artificial creeks and lakes, together with strategically shaped bunkers around this par 72 course.

Son Gual will become known not only for its visual beauty but also for the excitement of playing over a body of water so often in a round. Another unusual feature is Himmel's use of massive bunkering, including one sand trap that measures 240m by 84m, at the par-4 2nd.

Ron Swing, golf course Superintendent at Son Gual, told Golf Monthly that cool season grasses like blue, rye, and fescue in the mixed semi-rough, will give the course a lush natural appearance, while the greens and tees will be bent grass. Swing is also lucky enough to be using a highly advanced golf course irrigation system, the only one of its kind in Europe.

Son Gual will be a tremendous addition to Mallorcan golf.”