The Island Of Dreams

Michael Weston visits GranCanariaand delights in its glorious and remarkably diverse landscape both on and off the course

- Michael Weston

With its white sandy beaches, unspoilt valleys and dramatic mountain ranges, it’s no surprise that Gran Canaria, the third largest of the Canary Islands, attracts over three million visitors each year. While the south is dry and hot, and home to many of the island’s biggest resorts, the whole of this ‘miniature-continent’ demands to be explored. The north is more humid, with a rocky coastline similar to the west, all of which creates a diverse and enticing landscape. For golfers, there’s the added bonus that such terrain has provided the perfect canvas for architects to create some truly beautiful layouts, with enough top tracks here for a very enjoyable golf holiday.

Las Palmas Airport is located on the eastern side of the island, approximately 11 miles from the cosmopolitan capital. Should you have the itch to play as soon as you touch down, Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas and El Cortijo Club de Campo are half an hour away. The former is Spain’s oldest golf club, founded by the British in 1891. The current course, situated alongside a volcanic crater, was laid out in the mid-1950s.

It’s not just the crater that catches the eye – the course boasts stunning views both of the coastline and inland. While length doesn’t pose an issue, the narrow tree-lined fairways, ravines and small greens provide enough of a challenge. Meanwhile, the distant views of the hillside villages are pleasing throughout, even when your game isn’t quite there.