Son Gual

Son Gual hosted the Mallorca Senior Open for the first time in May 2009, when former Ryder Cup Captain Ian Woosnam compared the greens to those at Augusta National.  The 1991 Masters winner said,

"It's a bit like Augusta.  There are a lot of slopes on the greens.  You've got to get the ball the right side of the hole - If you don't you'll be struggling.  Miss it on the wrong side and you're dead."

In 2009 Son Gual also made it into Golf World's prestigious top 100 European Golf Courses list.  Golf World's description of the course said,

"The course is laid out in two very distinctive halves, the front nine running along the extremity of the estate, with the second encompassed within its centre - making it one of the more spectacular courses in the Mediterranean region."

Liverpool winger Albert Riera, has gone on record to say that it is his favourite course, and fellow Mallorcan, Wimbledon Champion Rafael Nadal, is another regular visitor.

Golden Balls presenter Jasper Carrott and Sky Sports pundits Jamie Redknapp, Andy Gray, Alan McInally and Alan Smith are just some of the British Celebrities to have been seen walking Son Gual's pristine fairways.

To book discounted green fees in Mallorca, and at Son Gual Golf Course, contact www.SimplyMallorcaGolf.com

Volunteers Needed For European Seniors Tour!

The “Son Gual Mallorca Senior Open” takes place from the 8th to the 10th May 2009, with Pro-Ams being played on the 6th and 7th May. Volunteers are required for a variety of roles, and application form can be downloaded by clicking on the following link:-

Son Gual Mallorca Senior Open - Volunteers

Should you require hotel accommodation during your stay, then why not book now and pay on arrival with www.SimplyMallorca.com?

Mallorca's Top 10 Golf Courses

During 2007, our colleagues at www.SimplyMallorcaGolf.com surveyed their clients to find out which were their favourite courses. The following results are based on their clients 'overall enjoyment' of the course which obviously takes into consideration many different factors:-

• Son Vida Golf 98%
• Vall d'Or 96.2%
• Son Muntaner Golf 96.1%
• Club de Golf Alcanada 94.1%
• Son Termens 92.8%
• Santa Ponsa 1 85.5%
• Capdepera 78.8%
• Real Golf de Bendinat 76.6%
• Golf de Andratx 75.5%
• Poniente 74.6%

The marks given indicate the percentage of clients who played that course and who rated their overall experience as either good or excellent.

The results are not surprising. However looking forward to 2008, the big question is which courses will make next years top 10, and which will drop from the current list.

A course which will almost certainly be included is Son Quint - As part of the Arabella Golf Complex this course arrives with a superb pedigree.

Another course which should make the top 10 is Son Gual - undoubtedly an award winning course. It's barrier to entry into our top 10 will only be the green fee price, currently 150€ per person as the statistics above are only valid once a certain number of players have left their feedback. We doubt that Son Gual will reach this 'critical' number of responses in 2008.

Poniente, Andratx and Bendinat as the bottom 3 courses are in danger of relegation. In truth none of these courses should exit the top 10. Poniente has the best layout on the island, but lacks investment in keys areas. The clubhouse needs refurbishment, the car park needs tarmac, and the course condition is not always as good as you would expect. Andratx is a long and challenging course, which some people find frustrating to play, and therefore scores low for 'overall enjoyment'. The fact that this course appeals mainly to Germans can sometimes leave British guests feeling ostracised. Finally Bendinat. This is undoubtedly a superb course, and one of the most popular on the island, however if you are not accurate off the tee you will find it frustrating.

In order to provide more specific feedback our colleagues at www.SimplyMallorcaGolf.com are asking their clients 3 questions this year. In summary, overall enjoyment, course quality, and value for money. As soon as they have received a reasonable number of responses we will publish the results here.