Manuel Piñero talks about La Quinta new layouts

La Quinta Golf is carrying out a major remodelling and renovation programme which places the Costa del Sol course at the forefront of golf amenities in the area.

The latest changes mainly affect the A and C layouts – two of the three at the club – and they will be specifically adapted to the An- dalucian regional government’s new decree related to golf – essentially controlling security, storage and water consumption.

All the renovations have been overseen by Manuel Piñero, the course designer and one Spain’s finest and most successful golfers. The most important revamp of the course in its 20- year history, it includes a comprehensive renovation of the irrigation system for layouts A and C and a redesign of the C layout.

The transformation of the C layout has been particularly important,” says Piñero, “and has been well received by our visiting golfers.

“We’ve built a new second hole, which previously was very close to the eighth, separated by a lake, and could feel a little stifling, as there was not enough space and it was right up near the houses. Now we’ve separated the green quite a lot from the houses, got rid of the eighth in that part of the course and constructed a large lake. It’s now an interesting par-three, very attractive and a lot wider

“The old eighth hole,” adds the former three-time world champion, “has been moved to a new area, where it is slightly more difficult and much-improved. It’s actually quite a good hole, now the sixth.

“The path on the third hole has been moved to the left-hand side of the fairway and the lake on the right has been removed. This means the third and the par-five eighth are now wider, with the possibility of playing the latter further down the right. In addition, the green on this hole has been replanted and the green and surrounding bunkers have been remodelled. “Finally, the tees on the ninth hole have been moved back, leaving a tee shot over the impressive new lake.”

The “new” C layout is 3,057 metres long from the white markers and perfectly complements the A layout, creating a challenging 18-hole combination within the overall 27-hole complex

“We have planted about 200 news trees on this new nine-hole layout,” says Piñero, “as well as numerous shrubs and plants. It is a very important renovation during difficult times, which makes it even more meritorious on the part of the owners. The improvements are well appreciated and highly valued by golfers.

“All the work carried out represents a significant change. There remain a couple of things that will be finished soon, especially one: transforming the ninth, mainly from the second shot to the green.”

–Have there not been any changes to the other layouts, A and B?

–No major changes to the design. We’ve removed a bunker and improved play on some of the fairways, but nothing comparable to the work on the C course. Having said that, two years ago we did plant 400 trees on the A layout.

As far as the irrigation is concerned, as I mentioned before, we have changed the whole system, so all the playing surfaces are better – and they will be improved even more thanks to greater efficiency and efficacy in water management.

–Would you say that you are now completely satisfied with the three La Quinta layout?

They are good, though a designer is never completely satisfied. If they let you, you would spend your whole life adding finishing touches to your work – and they have to stop you! I’m pleased with the work being carried out, and bit by bit we are achieving what I had in mind for the course. This really is a major transformation of La Quinta.”