Fresh from undertaking a full renovation of its Links course – named ‘Best Golf Course in Spain’ at the 2023 World Golf Awards – the acclaimed resort in Andalucia has unveiled a series of improvements to its second 18-hole championship layout as the countdown continues to the opening a new Fairmont hotel.
As well as carrying out redesign work to enhance the original design by Dave Thomas, with the 13th hole now playing as a par-four and the 18th converted to a par-five with a repositioned new tee, other upgrades include the levelling of the first and 11th fairways to improve the playability of the Heathland course and significant landscaping work taking place from holes two to five and the tenth, 17th and 18th with the planting of mastic trees.
In addition, the greenkeeping team at La Hacienda has installed solar panels on the eighth hole, cleaned and refurbished the lakes and bridges on the eighth and ninth holes, and reseeded a number of fairways with grasses that are more sustainable and better suited to the region’s climate.
Javier Jimenez Casquet, director general at La Hacienda Links Golf Resort, said: “Having undertaken a major recent renovation of the Links course, it was very important that we made improvements to the Heathland course to bring it up to the standard of the other facilities at the resort.
“Some of the changes that we have made were much needed, including moving the tee back on the 18th hole to create a challenging par-five that matches the quality of the rest of the course. Using the best sustainable practices, we now have two outstanding courses that complement each other perfectly, and this is the ideal way to launch an exciting year for the resort as we build towards the opening of our new Fairmont hotel.”
The upgrade of the Heathland course is the latest in a series of major investments that La Hacienda Links Golf Resort has made in an ongoing redevelopment project that has seen the venue establish itself as one of the rising stars of European golf.
Located in the Cadiz municipality of San Roque close to Sotogrande, the resort’s Links course runs along the beachfront with spectacular views of the Mediterranean, Gibraltar and Africa, and has been one of the biggest course renovation projects to be undertaken in Europe in recent years.
As part of the major transformation project to reconfigure and redesign the layout, American architect Kurtis Bowman was appointed to improve the hole layouts, conditioning, scenery and sustainability outcomes. Work undertaken included the remodelling of all tees, greens complexes and bunkers, and the redesign of several holes.
In addition La Hacienda has undertaken a series of other upgrades to its golf and leisure amenities including the renovation of its clubhouse, the launch of a new website and the opening of a new halfway house for players on the Links course, while the resort is preparing to launch a new Fairmont hotel and villas in the near future – underlining the resort’s ambition to become one of the most exclusive and luxurious golf developments in Spain.
