The Desert Springs golf resort is home to Europe’s only desert course, the Indiana, which opened in 2002. Designed by Peter McEvoy, the Indiana has been constructed to USGA specifications and meets the standards set by some of the top desert courses in California and Arizona. It has already hosted several important competitions, such as the 2004 Spanish Amateur Men’s Championship, and the English Golf Union has selected Desert Springs as its base in Spain. The ambitious owners hope to turn this complex into the top golf resort in Spain. Another 18-hole course is already in the pipeline and should be open within the next couple of years.

The fairways have been generously sized but there are plenty of strategically-positioned bunkers to be wary of on this challenging course. If you stray from the fairway you could end up in some rather nasty rough, which contains some interesting cacti and other desert plants. It is advisable to be conservative and stay on the fairways otherwise you could easily run up a high score. Club selection is important and it is wise to think ahead.

All the holes on the Indiana course have been given individual names. One of the most interesting is the 7th, called Tequila, which has a dogleg to the right. The second shot is tough as you have to aim for a small target across the stream. The superb 12th (par 3) is named Chiquita. From the tee the front bunker looks like it is greenside. Looks can be deceptive though, because the bunker is further from the green than you would think. The 15th is the Abyss, which is a good test of your accuracy. There are several bunkers on the right of the fairway and the tough green is well-protected by a lake.

Desert Springs is located close to the village of Cuevas del Almanzora which is famous for its fascinating cave dwellings.

Facilities
There is an excellent range of facilities at this family-oriented golf resort, including five-star accommodation at The Lodge, an open-air swimming pool, spa, and the Crocodile Club restaurant. The clubhouse, which has been constructed in a colonial style, contains the El Torrente restaurant and club bar. There is also a driving range, putting green, and a golf academy which benefits from a video training lounge.

How to get to Desert Springs
Exit the A7 Almeria-Murcia motorway at exit 537, towards Cuevas de Almanzora.

Essential Information
Holes: 18
Par: 71
Official website: almanzora.com

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