It would be modesty gone mad if I failed to mention the fact that, back on 8th October 2008, I got my first (and so far only) hole-in-one. Yes, it pales into insignificance beside the FIVE that my brother Mick accumulated at Heworth Golf Club in York and the fact that it’s taken me 30-odd years to get just the measly one. However, my name is now up on the board at my home course of Radley Golf Club near Abingdon.
For the record, the shot was an eight iron over the lake hole (the seventeenth) and was an absolute gem – just two bounces, a little roll and in it went.
That shot was probably the trigger that encouraged me to participate more in the club’s activities. So, I stood and got elected to the committee but, sadly, my closer ties with the club and its administration have so far failed to produce any more aces.
La Galiana Campo de Golf (see right, with Jeff putting) and La Sella are the most difficult of the bunch – difficult, but even 18-handicap golfers like me can enjoy them. La Sella, in nearby Denia, was designed by José María Olazábal, and has been the official home of the European Ladies Golf Cup since 2008. However, given its spectacular setting, on the side of a mountain, La Galliana gets my vote for a not-to-be-missed golf course.
The Club de Golf Olivia Nova is the closest of the lot to Denia and, despite having an alarming amount of water – only holes 2, 13 and 14 are completely dry – none of it is really frightening, not even for someone like me!
The Villaitana Golf Club (left) is just off the AP-7 motorway, in the hills above Benidorm and, like the others in the area, is beautifully laid out and a pleasure to play on. The Bonalba Golf Club is also just off the AP-7, but a bit further from Ondara and Denia, about 20km north of Alicante, but it is well worth the few extra miles if you fancy a bit of luxury golf. The fourth one, the Alicante Golf Club, is about an hour’s drive away but is highly unusual in that the course weaves its way through a large holiday property development. Think about that – an audience for every shot you play!
If you fancy a round of golf when you’re visiting Karen and Jeff, ask Jeff to phone round the courses to see what deals are on offer. Also, so long as you’re right-handed, Jeff has a couple of spare sets of golf clubs (one courtesy of me) available for use by any of their guests. My set contains a full set of Ping irons, a Taylormade driver, a couple of utility clubs, a putter, a 65 degree lob wedge and all the necessary bits and pieces to play a round of golf. All you need supply is your shoes, glove and the decency to replace any lost balls. To be on the safe side, take your handicap certificate with you as well (although I’ve only had to produce one once) and I strongly recommend that you hire a buggy if you’re going to play during the summer months.
