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• Holes - 18
• Par - 70
• Clubs hire - Yes
• Buggy hire - Yes
• Hand Cart hire - Yes
• Restaurant - Yes
• Bar - Yes |
By Eamonn Power
The most stunning aspects of El Chaparral are the plantations of pine trees which are so tall they seem to touch the sky. On every hole these superb specimens gaze down as if in contempt at the efforts of those playing below. Nowhere is beyond their view: it is as if the course was hewn out of a pine forest, and maybe it was.
MEMORABLE HOLES
Not surprisingly the opening tee is located in a clump of pine trees. It is a visually intimidating start as a chasm must be carried before the ball reaches the sanctuary of the fairway but, once the chasm has been successfully negotiated, the first is a straight forward par-4. Remembering the chasm it is not surprising to find a seller of second-hand golf balls has set up shop at the entrance to the second tee!
The third is a par-5 which well merits its stroke index 1. Played from an elevated tee into a valley far below the fairway is hump-backed with danger lurking on both sides: a water-hazard winds its way up the right while a boundary fence awaits on the opposite side. About 200-metres from the green the fairway moves to the left leaving a second shot to be played across yet another valley. A second water hazard lies to the left of the green while two pines guard the narrow but long putting surface and there are small lumps of palms scattered hither and yon.
The eighth hole is a par-4 measuring 307-metres and, with the tee set beneath an umbrella of towering pines, it is a haven of tranquility. Played through an avenue of trees to a fairway below which dog-legs sharply to the right it is made to measure for a faded tee shot. A hazard stretches up the right while the opposite side is just a plethora of trees. 90-metres from the green a cork oak stands, somewhat forlorn, in the middle of the fairway as it rises up to a very small putting surface which has two tiers.
The fairway of the 15th slopes from right to left as it moves around to the left. Pines abound on that side while plenty of room awaits on the opposite side. There are deep bunkers to the front of the green making long better than short. The 17th is played from an elevated tee into valley and a sad fate lies in store for a faded tee shot. Standing on the tee it is difficult to know what to do on a hole which is a very awkward design. About 220-metres from the tee there is a flat landing area from where the second shot must cross another valley, avoiding a lake on the right, to a second area of safety. From there it is just a pitch to the green which has a pot-bunker to the front with more sand on the left.
THE 19th
The changing rooms are good sized and lockers with keys are provided to stow away personal items while the restaurant provides a menu of the day which, on the day of my visit, consisted of potato soup, fillet of pork with pepper sauce followed by strawberries, at a modest cost.
El Chaparral is unusual in as much as the course consists of six par-3s, six par-4s and six par-5s and it is difficult to think of another golf course with the same configuration. One small criticism would be regarding the lack of directional signs and there are a number of occasions during the round when it is quite easy to go astray.
El Chaparral provides an excellent test and a very enjoyable round of golf for those with a reasonable ability to play: others in the very high handicap range would be well advised to bring a plentiful supply of golf balls.
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