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La Cala Resort in Spain’s Costa del Sol is a golfer’s paradise, located within half an hour of Málaga Airport and 20 minutes from Marbella.
Regularly featuring in Spain’s Top 100 course rankings, the Campo America course, one of three 18-hole championship layouts designed by Cabell B. Robinson, stands out as a thrilling blend of strategic challenge, outrageous views, and great condition.
My round left a lasting impression on me. I felt like every part of my game had been tested while enjoying the breathtaking scenery.
Campo America stretches to over 6,600 yards and plays to a par 72. There are five par 5s, giving you a feeling of opportunity when looking at the scorecard before the round.
The course is slightly more forgiving off the tee compared to its neighbours, Campo Asia and Campo Europa, but it is not any less challenging. With lots of raised greens, awkward sloping lies and narrow targets, you must play with precision and thoughtful course management.
A short drive to the 1st tee from the clubhouse reveals a dramatic opening tee shot, where you are hitting way down to the fairway at the bottom of a valley. It sets you up for what is to come. The tee shot is pretty gentle, offering a wide target on this shortish par 5, but the tight approach quickly sets you straight. The course is firm and green, offering some extra bounce and run for an accurate tee shot.
The course’s conditioning was a highlight throughout. The putting surfaces were superb – firm and fast, and the fairways were equally impressive, framed by vibrant wildflowers and native trees, with the rough providing a fair but penal challenge for errant shots.
Holes 2, 3 and 4 demand ball striking and accuracy but provide scoring opportunities with relatively short approaches. The opening stretch allows you to get your swing in gear before an amazing stretch of holes that closes out the front nine.
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Each of these holes, from the 5th onwards, are perched on the top of the hills, with severe drop-offs down the valleys ready to punish wide shots. This stretch really tests your nerves and ball striking with raised greens and plenty of bunkers meaning it is easy to get your approach shots disastrously wrong.
The back nine features some of the best views on the whole property, as the course winds through the hills. I played in the late afternoon when the shadows on nearby mountains made this one of the most picturesque courses areas I have ever experienced.
There are some standout holes on the back with some of the most memorable shots from my trip. Holes 12 and 13 require well-thought-out, accurate tee shots, while 15 is a gettable par 5 if you are brave with your tee shot, and 16 is one of the standout par 3s with a lake guarding short right. I was relieved to hit the green safely as I bet there has been plenty of drama unfolding on that particular short hole.
The closing hole is a downhill dogleg left, where the sensible play is not to take the corner on and take your chances with your second shot at the green. It’s a brilliant opportunity to close out on a positive note and leave happy for the well-deserved beer in the bar.
The elevation changes, while significant, are manageable with a buggy – a must given the hilly terrain and distances between holes.
Of course, La Cala Resort enhances the experience with fabulous facilities. The Andalusian-style clubhouse is warm and inviting, with friendly staff and excellent dining options at the Clubhouse Restaurant and Bar Laurel. The pre-round lunch was reasonably priced and delicious, setting the tone for the day.
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The resort has a fantastic practice facility a short drive from the main resort, a driving range with the best view ever and a short course. The 4-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the courses, and a world-class spa & gym make La Cala a complete destination.
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