Rio Real has always been one of my favorite courses. I love to enjoy its endless rows of slender pine trees, in an environment where peace and tranquility prevail. The course experienced some decline a few years ago but, following changes in its design, together with the expertise of the greenkeepers, it soon returned to its usual spectacular state of maintenance and now occupies a privileged place in the list of “The best maintained courses” on the Costa del Sol.
The road leading to the golf course is lined with new apartments and villas and one can’t help but wonder how the current economic crisis will affect construction companies, not only at Rio Real but also at most other courses along the coast. As with most things, time will tell. As I drove my car under the entrance arch, a security guard guided me to the parking lot in front of the entrance to the very elegant hotel that opened in 2001, and from there a few steps away was the caddy-master. I checked my reservation and spent a couple of minutes in the well-stocked store, adjacent to the neat and tidy changing rooms.
On the first hole, a 312-meter par-4, the tree, which has been the cause of much ‘swearing’ over the years is still standing in the middle of the fairway, and its branches are bigger than ever. The tee shot is perfect for the golfer making fade, which is exactly the shape needed to land well on the fairway. Assuming the large tree is avoided, the approach will be very straight to a circular contour green with bunkers on both sides. The danger of this relatively easy opening hole is that it can lull the golfer into a false sense of security.
Among the holes that I think are the most outstanding at Rio Real are 5, 11, 12 and 13.
The 5th is one of those holes that you either love or hate. It is a 140-meter par 3 that is played from a high tee and whose right side of the course is lined with apartments. On countless occasions, a bad shot off the tee can end up with the ball hitting the walls of the buildings and bouncing onto the green, but that’s something you can’t control. The entrance to the green is protected by a very deep bunker, while a hooked ball would end up in the creek. This is a hole where it is better to overshoot than undershoot, as there is ample room behind the green.
The 11th, a par 4, is probably the most spectacular hole at Rio Real. From an elevated tee, the drive must fly over the tops of trees to reach the valley below. The hotel is on the left side of the hole, while there are seven large trees and a plethora of younger ones on the opposite side. The river reappears at the front of the green and, although it looks quite narrow from down the fairway, it is not and in fact measures twelve meters. The green, circular in shape, is well protected by bunkers and there are palm trees to the right and other trees at the back of the green, with the Incosol Hotel dominating the scene.
The 12th, a par 3 that replaced the old 17th hole, has a large lake that surrounds the left side of the green in the shape of a horseshoe and makes the shot from the tee error-proof.
The 13th, a 506-meter par 5, is not only the longest hole on the course but also one of the most picturesque. With its winding layout through an avenue of trees, only the longest of hitters will be able to reach the green in two.
The course ends with two tree lined par 4s. Walking along this last stretch of the course I noticed how green the course was and how well the fairways were mowed, with their stripes creating the impression of different shadows. Rio Real, designed by Javier Arana, was first played in 1965, and the renovation and modernization it has undergone in recent years have made it one of the best courses on the coast, suitable for all handicap levels and a real delight to play.
After a shower, I headed to the restaurant and soothed my aging limbs by enjoying the sun sitting in a wicker chair on the terrace. It wasn’t long before a waiter appeared to serve me, and in the blink of an eye he served me sparkling water and a tasty omelet. As I enjoyed my lunch, images replayed in my memory of a course that is a haven of tranquility and an example of good maintenance, with neatly mowed fairways, well-raked bunkers and first-class greens. Rio Real exudes a maturity that only a few courses on the Costa del Sol can boast.
From the moment I arrived at the parking lot, I had the feeling that the entire staff at Rio Real has been well schooled in the art of taking care of visitors. From the excellent changing rooms, where plenty of gleaming white towels are available, to a first-class check-in area under the supervision of the ever-attentive caddy-master Juan Cantos, to a delicious restaurant where the simplest snacks are so well presented, everything is geared towards making the visitor feel very welcome. Rio Real has rightfully earned its place of privilege among the best golf courses in Costa del Sol.
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