Hacienda Riquelme golf resort
Murcia
The Complex
A bit of history...
Located on the estate that bears its name, this Resort is accessed by the Avileses to Sucina Road. It features a noble, late 19th Century colonial-style building, which was the retreat of the Riquelme family. The Riquelme´s were the descendants of Guillén Riquelme, a noble knight who accompanied King Alfonso X the Learned on his conquest of Murcia.
Affixed to the facade of this palace-house, his coat of arms displays the ornamental figures that identify and distinguish the noble family to which he belonged, and the other which he joined by marriage. The helm and crest of its minor shield over a field and a large barracks represent the distinguished warrior to whom they belonged.
A carriage roadway that ran through a beautiful palm grove provided access to the spacious central courtyard, which was lined with buildings devoted to the maintenance o
f the Riquelme Estate and services for its noble residents. Fountains of musical fresh waters, galleries of arches supported by open columns like those of a monastic cloister, a fortified tower of permeable walls, a beautiful palm grove, large windows from which to lean out and look at endless landscapes, are the elements that made this estate a place for rest and enjoyment. The Riquelme family was noted for the patronage of the arts they practiced over many generations. One of the artists they patronized was the famous Murcian sculptor Francisco Salzillo. The museum in Murcia that bears his name is home to many of his works of art, such as the world famous nativity scene commissioned by Jesualdo Riquelme y Fontes for his Murcia Palace. Another patronized artist circa 1603 was sculptor Cristóbal de Salazar, who created the marble sepulchres for the great Riquelme chapel in the San Francisco de Murcia Convent.
Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort Properties
Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort apartments are laid out with views of the golf course, and a backdrop consisting of the other apartments recreated in the Riquelme family colonial construction style. Their peculiar shape can be seen among the abundant plant life, providing a feeling of freshness and freedom that pervades the entire complex. Apartments to experience the history of the land of Murcia to its fullest.
Golf Course
This Resort is structured around a magnificent, 18 holes, par 72 golf course by Nicklaus Design. This course is different from the others in the Nicklaus Golf Trail, a group of six golf courses that make up Europe´s best golf offering.
Ample fairways are combined with hard to approach greens, and bunkers ready to complicate your game. And all of it surrounded by wild flowers, olive trees and large lakes. A fun course that will bring the best shots out of every player.
Nicklaus Design featuring Steve Nicklaus. Championship
par-72 course, measuring approximately 6300 meters from the back tees.
Hacienda Riquelme was host to the Hi5
Pro Tour during the last week of February this year, consolidating its
position as the premier course in the region. Click on the link for photos of
this event; http://www.hrgr.es/resources/Hi5TourHR.pdf
First Hole
Riquelme Best Golf opens with this 403 meter par-four. The longer length of
this opening hole is offset by the downhill tee shot, offering sweeping views
of the Spanish countryside. The fairway is guarded on the left by a large deep
bunker while numerous smaller bunkers lay in wait on the right side of the
fairway. A large bunker protects the green, favouring an approach from the left
side of the fairway. Like the other greens on the course, players will find
this large green features numerous random contours and undulations. The green
generally slopes to the left falling off into a large mown chipping area. All
of this combines to create one of the more demanding opening holes on the
Nicklaus Golf Trail.
Second Hole
Smart players should be able to pick up a shot at the 516 meter par-five second
hole. The right side of the hole is protected by a series of bunkers while the
native grasses encroach tightly along the left side. The fairway tapers to a
very narrow slot just before the landing area forcing golfers to decide whether
to lay up their tee shot or challenge the bunkers on the right. An aggressive
tee shot carrying this narrow slot will get a strong bounce forward making the
green very reachable in two shots. The second landing area is protected by two
groups of bunkers while the green is guarded by a bunker on the left. Smart
players can opt to take the left greenside bunker out of play by hitting their
second shot to the right allowing the strong
slope to feed the ball onto the
green. Birdie is strong possibility on this hole.
Third Hole
The 362 meter par-four third plays strongly up the hill, making the hole play
much longer. The fairway features a large bunker on the inside left with
additional bunkers framing the outside of the hole. A tee shot played along the
bunker on the left will give players the best angle for the uphill approach. A
large bunker guards the right portion of the green with another smaller bunker
waiting on the left. Conservative play might be the key to this hole.
Fourth Hole
Golfers will find another impressive downhill tee shot here at the 487 meter
fourth hole. Again, players are presented with options on this very reachable
short par-five. The crowned green is set on an angle and is best approached
from the left. Players must decide whether to play aggressively over the two
deep fairway bunkers to the left side of the fairway or play safe to the right
side of the fairway. Those playing to the left side will get a strong kick
forward but will then be faced with a daring shot over the edge of the lake to
the green. Golfers laying up should play as close to the lake edge as possible
to create the best angle of approach to the green. This hole is sure to be very
tempting, but only the most daring players will be able to conquer it.
Fifth Hole
Players now come to the first par-three on the course, the 184 meter fifth
hole. While the hole plays over the corner of the lake, the hazard should
really not come into play. The green sits into the side of the hill and is
closely guarded by three bunkers. An opening is created in the front-right of
the green allowing golfers to play a run-up shot that could catch the slope in
the rear of green and feed into the centre of the green. The green features
several quirky contours and those playing directly to a pin cut on the left
side of the green will have to control their distance precisely to avoid
finding one of the bunkers.
Sixth Hole
Golfers now work their way up to the sixth tee, a tee offering more views out
to the beautiful Spanish landscape. This 388 meter par-four plays strongly down
the hill to a narrow fairway. A group of three bunkers protect the left side of
the fairway and players need to decide whether to lay up short of them or hit
an aggressive tee shot right of the bunkers into the lower part of the fairway.
Those playing the longer shot will have a short approach to the green but will
have to play delicately over the front-right greenside bunker. Those laying up
to the left will have an open angle to this green that falls off into fairway
lows on the left and in the rear. Golfers may need to play this tricky hole a
few times to determine their best strategy.
Seventh Hole
The 175 meter par-three seventh hole plays over the large lake to one of the
most severely contoured greens on the course. A group of bunkers sit left of
the green, but they also set up a bit of a kick-in allowing for golfers not
wishing to carry over the lake to feed their shot into the front of the green.
Another bunker is placed right of the green to help protect balls from rolling
into the lake and water feature. The green is boldly contoured forcing players
to be very creative with their short games. This hole is surely stunning to
look at, but will also certainly create a fair amount of fear among players.
Eighth Hole
Once again, players need to make some decisions at the 336 meter eighth hole.
This short par-four features a large bunker to the left of the fairway and two
smaller bunkers out to the right. Golfers can elect to lay up short of all of
the bunkers, play an accurate tee shot out to the right between the bunkers, or
try and completely carry the large left bunker. This large green features a
severe elevation change in the middle and is probably approached best from the
right side of the fairway. A large bunker guards the front-left of the green
while another bunker sits along the right side of the green. Like the sixth,
players may need to play this hole a few times before discovering the best
strategy.
Ninth Hole
The front nine finishes here at this 371 meter par-four. The tee shot is played
over the corner of the large lake. Players need to determine how much of the
lake they are able to carry. Some may wish to lay up short of the two left
fairway bunkers or try to hit a precise tee shot between the lake and the
bunkers. A small pot bunker lies just left of this long narrow green. The green
is guarded on the right by the lake and is probably best approached from the
right side of the fairway. Like many holes at Riquelme Best Golf, daring play
here could result in the best scores.
Tenth Hole
Although a short par-four playing to only 323 meters, the tenth hole could be
very testing. Players are presented with a multitude of options here as the
numerous bunkers create many different routes to the green. A bunker in the
centre of the fairway will dictate play. Should players lay up short, carry the
bunker, or play out the right? The small, tricky green features a strong swale
cutting into the back of the green. Players coming from the right will face a
very shallow target and will likely see this swale feed their shot off the back
of the green. Shots coming from the left should have a better chance of holding
the green’s slope. The numerous options here could create the most interesting,
if not frustrating, hole on the course.
Eleventh Hole
Courageous players should have another opportunity to pick up an additional shot
here at the short 480 meter par-five eleventh hole. The tee shot is played
downhill to a fairway featuring a large bunker on the right and two bunkers on
the left. A window is created in the bunkers on the left allowing players the
chance to carry the hazard and get a huge kick forward down the fairway making
the green easily reachable in two shots. The stream cuts between the landing
areas giving players the option to lay up short or carry to the fairway pad
beyond. The green has a very narrow entrance and most shots will need to carry
all the way to the green. Those laying up should favour the left side of the
fairway along the lake as the large right greenside bunker will create a very
difficult approach from the right. All of this should combine to create a great
risk and reward hole.
Twelfth Hole
The 355 meter twelfth hole is one the more unique holes on the course. This
shorter par-four is protected on the left by a series of bunkers. Those playing
a precise tee shot along the bunkers will have a better view of the green.
Players electing to play safe out to the right side of the fairway will find
that the hillside obstructs their view of most of the green. Complicating
matters, the green slopes from front to back, making the approach shot from the
right difficult to hold on the green. A bunker guards the left side of the
green, but plenty of chipping area surrounds the green making for an easier
recovery shot.
Thirteenth Hole
Golfers have another choice to make at the 350 meter thirteenth hole. This
par-four features two distinct options from the tee. Players can opt to play to
the wider right side of the fairway or try to carry the fairway bunker into the
very narrow upper fairway. An enormous bunker sits short of the green making
the approach from the right difficult. Those making the play to the upper
fairway on the left will get a strong kick forward and will have the best angle
into to the full length of the green. The front section of this green slopes
away from those coming from the right, making it difficult to hold the approach
on the green.
Fourteenth Hole
While this 463 meter hole may be the shortest par-five the on the scorecard, it
actually might play the longest. This hole plays strongly uphill and weaves its
way through a maze of bunkers. The left side of the fairway is guarded by two
bunkers while a collection of bunkers frame the right side. A series of
diagonal cross-bunkering sets up the strategy for the second shot, again
forcing players to make some decisions. The longest of players could elect to
go for the green in two shots but will need to fly their shot onto the green to
avoid the very deep bunker short of the green. Others may elect to lay up short
of the cross bunkers resulting in a very difficult third shot to a shallow target.
The best lay up strategy is to carry the cross bunkers into the right fairway
pad allowing players to run their shots into the full length of the green.
Smart, conservative play could be the best approach to this “short” par-five.
Fifteenth Hole
Players will find another nice extended view of the countryside on the tee of
this 186 meter par-three. This hole plays downhill to a long shallow green. A
series of deep bunkers work their way from the front of the green around to the
right portion of the green. The green features some of the most unique contours
on the course creating numerous interesting pin positions. For those wishing to
avoid a long tricky putt, playing to the correct portion of the green will be
critical.
Sixteenth Hole
Golfers will need to make some more decisions on the tee of this beautiful 346
meter par-four. A lake feeds a stream that runs down the entire right side of
the hole. A group of bunkers protrude into left side of the fairway creating a
very narrow slot along the edge of lake. Players can elect to lay up short of
the lake and play a longer second shot or try and squeeze a daring shot between
the bunkers and the lake. This will result in a kick forward leaving just a
short pitch of a second shot. Two bunkers sit to the front and right of the
green putting a premium on an approach from the left. Therefore, players laying
up off the tee might want to try and place their shot as close to the left
fairway bunkers as possible. Again, courageous players able to execute two
precise shots should have a great opportunity for a birdie.
Seventeenth Hole
The last par-three on the course is also the longest. This 199 meter hole plays
to a large, boldly contoured green. The hole might not be quite as difficult as
it appears from the tee. Players that can carry the large bunker can easily run
their shot up into the green. A smaller bunker guards the left side of the
green making it difficult to play a shot directly at a pin on the left side of
the green. A large group of olive trees sits closely to the right side of the
green while the left side of the green falls off into a low chipping area.
Golfers playing aggressively here might only find trouble.
Eighteenth Hole
The course comes to a dra
matic close at the intimidating 393 meter eighteenth
hole. The tee shot of this long par-four is played over the edge of the lake to
a fairway guarded by three bunkers. Again, players can opt to lay up short of
the bunkers, play to the area between the bunkers, or try a bold carry over the
bunker along the lake. Shots carrying this bunker will greatly shorten hole and
provide a good angle to approach the green. The green sits on the edge of the
lake and is surrounded by bunkers. An approach from the right will help to take
the lake out of play; however, players will want to be careful to avoid some of
the deepest bunkers on the course protecting the left side of the green. The
green features a strong elevation change and players will want to make sure
they play to the correct level. Par will be a great score on this stern
finishing hole.
Practice Area
In addition to the course, players will find a very unique practice area at
Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort. This practice facility has been designed to
focus on iron play and short game skills. The range itself features three
target areas that are shaped to resemble actual golf holes. They feature the
same bunker style as the course and should create a very unique setting for
players to hone their iron and wedge play. The practice area also features a
large practice putting green as well as a separate short game and chipping
green. Players looking to concentrate on their iron and short game skills
should look no further than this facility at Riquelme Best Golf.
Please note that all measurements are provisional until the Spanish Golf
Federation has officially measured and rated the Golf Course.
Green Fees
Reservations
Summer - 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. & Winter - 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Booking La Torre Golf Course
Tel: 0034 968 044 879 or Email: ltgrgolf@polarisworld.com
Booking El Valle Golf course
Tel:0034 968 or Email: evgrgolf@polarisworld.com
Booking Mar Menor Golf Course
Tel: 0034 968 041 765 or Email: mmgrgolf@polarisworld.com
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
a) Preference given for rounds starting 08:30 to 09:30 and 16:30 to 18:00 if booked with 48 hrs notice.
b) The rules of etiquette which apply on all the golf resorts must be respected both on the golf course and on the driving range.
c) The permitted handicaps are 28 for gentlemen and 36 for ladies and children.
d) A copy of the handicap certificate must be presented before playing.
e) The management reserves the right to change the list of tariffs without prior notice. 24 hours notice must be given for cancellations or a penalty of 15 euro will be incurred.
f) There are often SPECIAL OFFERS available, so please contact golf course to enquire.
