Address
Carretera de Arcos,
Jerez
Spain
Championship Length
6,614 yards
Details
Home to the Volvo Masters, the most prestigious event on the PGA Tour, from 1997 - 2001, Montecastillo is "Golden Bear", Jack Nicklaus's only golf course design in Andalucía. A tough, testing course with considerable distances from green to tee, Montecastillo does keep to Nicklaus's firmly held belief, "A golfer should see what he's getting". Located next to the Jerez Grand Prix Circuit, Montecastillo opened for play in 1992. It is a test of golf for the most accomplished players but is equally enjoyable to all golfers. With over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, the Hotel Montecastillo is becoming a favourite place to play golf.
The course is situated in a 395 acre estate, with a typical Andalucían landscape for the golfer to enjoy a scenic round of golf. Following the first Volvo Masters in 1997 Montecastillo has invested over 1,200,000 euros in a technical and aesthetic renovation plan. This has included the planting of 100 year old olive trees, the installation of a new drainage system, introducing Marmolada sand in the bunkers and new machinery for the maintenance of the golf course. There are some spectacular holes with water often coming into play. The 18th is the most famous and most photographed hole. From the very high tee one looks down on the Montecastillo Hotel and the lake just before the final green. From this spot Sandy Lyle hit a driver in the 1994 Turespa?a Masters. His ball disappeared into the hotel swimming pool but he didn't have the heart to ask his caddie to dive in - there were three balls at the bottom of the deep end - so he took a drop under penalty. Later his ball was fished out. It transpired that had he done this within the five minutes permissible search time he'd have had a free drop.
Additional facilities offered by the course include buggy and club rental, both individual and group classes, a putting and a pitching green and a well stocked Pro Shop. The club house provides the use of changing rooms, lockers and a gym with a sauna and Jacuzzi. The Montecastillo Hotel is a magnificent 5 star hotel with a total capacity of up to 450 people.
Location
Follow the Highway A-4 from Seville to Cadiz and use the exit 4 towards the town of Arcos de la Frontera. Right beside Montecastillo is the Jerez car race track which can be partially seen from the highway.
Nearby Restaurants
Restaurante "La Mesa Redonda", Manuel de la Quintana 3, Jerez de la Frontera. Tel (34) 956 340 069. This Restaurant has a cuisine which lets you experience the great flavour of Andalucía in a very cosy atmosphere perfectly attended by the service team. The famous Sherry of Jerez gives both meat and fish an extraordinary taste you will certainly enjoy.
Restaurante Gaitan, Gaitan 3 y 5, Jerez de la Frontera. Tel (34) 956 345 859. This restaurant is located within walking distance of the famous riding school "Real Escuela del Arte Ecuestre". The decor consists of colourful ceramic plates and photos of well known diners. The menu is traditional Andalucían cuisine and also offers a few tasty Basque dishes
Restaurante El Gordo, Zaragoza 38, Jerez de la Frontera. Tel (34) 956 169 080. A typical Andalucían restaurant in the centre of Jerez, which is situated next to the bull ring. It specialises in grilled sea food and shell fish.
Restaurante Gallo Azul, Larga, Jerez de la Frontera. Tel (34) 956 326 148. This restaurant occupies two floors of a historical building in the centre of Jerez. It is the perfect place to enjoy both a creative Andalucían cuisine and a wide range of Spanish tapas.
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