Arcos Gardens, the ‘jewel of Andalucia’

August 6 / By Tee Times / InAround the world Costa del Sol Spain

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Opened in 2006, Arcos Gardens, located in historic Andalucia in southern Spain, is Landmark’s first community in continental Europe. The low-density, second-home community, which offers a spa and therapy center, onsite equestrian facilities and a nearby sailing club, is anchored by a magnificent course designed by Landmark’s golf division. Meandering streams and century-old olive trees frame the layout’s broad, rolling fairways. Arcos Gardens was named among the “Top 50 Worldwide Golf Resorts” in 2007 by the Telegraph, one of London’s leading newspapers.

David Brice, president of Golf International, a leading U.S.-based tour operator, visited Arcos Gardens last year and filed a very positive story with PGATOUR.COM. Here are a few excerpts from Mr. Brice’s story.

“The most recent arrival on Andalucia’s golfing scene is Arcos Gardens. This is not only one of the most impresive of the new courses from a technical standpoint, it also boasts what must certainly be the most stunning location of them all, slap dab in the very heart of Pueblos Blancos country, Andalucia’s famous White Villages.”

Arcos Gardens Golf Club enjoys a spectacular mountain top site, overlooking the most alluring of all the Pueblos Blancos, Arcos de la Frontera, sitting just a 5-minute drive away–the setting is magical. This is the true Andalucia countryside, every bit as beautiful as France’s Provence or Italy’s Tuscany, but with twice the combined fascination of the two.”

“The sparkling new Arcos Gardens…. is a brilliant example of what can be accomplished when the three essential elements of building an excellent course dovetail together perfectly. The combination of an ideal site, a masterful design and a developer with the vision, determination and pocketbook to create an extraordinary golf facility is often elusive, but all are clearly in evidence at Arcos Gardens. The result is a masterpiece, undoubtedly destined for stardom.”

“The layout is uncommonly handsome, almost to the extent of being stately and despite the tough examination it provides from the back tees, it’s a course that never forgets that golf is a game. The less accomplished players will feel as comfortable playing here as will the low handicappers.”

“….Arcos Gardens flows, seamlessly and so naturally, yet this is a course filled with variety and constantly changing challenges. No need here for deep vicious rough…. the shrewd bunkering and carefully positioned trees present the test of accuracy and club selection. The demands of the back 9 continue to build, coming to a crescendo on the closing sequence, one of the most dramatic to be found in all of Spain.” (Source: www.landmarklandco.com)