The Polaris World Nicklaus Golf Trail based in Murcia, Spain is a collection of golf courses designed by Nicklaus Design for Polaris World.
The trail comprises currently four golf courses open at Mar Menor, La Torre, El Valle and Hacienda Riquelme. All courses are 18 holes except Mar Menor which is 9 holes soon to be extended to 18.
There are further courses planned at Terrazas de la Torre and Condado de Alhama which will host three Jack Nicklaus Signature courses. The first Signature course at Condado de Alhama is already under construction and is expected to be open in 2009. It is one of the largest courses (in area) in Europe. The other two courses are classed as "Bear's Best" the first of this type of Nicklaus course in Europe.
Polaris Word Condado de Alhama houses three Par 72 Nicklaus Signature courses, two of which are Bears Best. Each course has its own unique theme, with one course being a desert-themed course, another being a parkland themed course and the final course blends into Murcia's landscape with sharp and jagged slopes.
La Torre offers an 18-hole, Par 68 Nicklaus designed course, that is built around three lakes. This course has four sets of tees, ensuring that this course can be played by moderate golfers with high handicaps whilst also challenging more experienced golfers.
Hacienda Riquelme has a Par 72 Nicklaus designed course that is surrounded by wild flowers, lakes and olive trees. The strategically placed bunkers provide an entertaining round of golf set in paradisiacal surroundings.
El Valle Golf Course is a Par 71 Nicklaus designed course located in a desert valley. Surrounded by desert plants and natural rocks, the El Valle course is a unique part of the Nicklaus Golf Trail.
Terrazas de La Torre Golf Course is a Par 72 Nicklaus designed course that is laden with palm trees and is based around a large central lake. Playing like a traditional British links course, the course is lightly bunkered, and the greatest challenge comes from the undulating greens and the snaking fairways.
Mar Menor currently has a nine-hole Dave Thomas Golf Course, which will have nine further Nicklaus-designed holes added to it with the completion of Mar Menor's second and final phase. This Par 68 golf course will provide a challenge for all levels of golfer. The completion of this golf course into an 18 hole will be complete at the end of 2010
Famous quotes containing the words polaris, world, nicklaus, golf and/or trail:
“Where is the “unexplored land” but in our own untried enterprises? To an adventurous spirit any place—London, New York, Worcester, or his own yard—is “unexplored land,” to seek which Frémont and Kane travel so far. To a sluggish and defeated spirit even the Great Basin and the Polaris are trivial places.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“No one is to blame. It is neither their fault nor ours. It is the misfortune of being born when a whole world is dying.”
—Alexander Herzen (1812–1870)
“The older you get the stronger the wind gets—and it’s always in your face.”
—Jack Nicklaus (b. 1940)
“And the wind shall say “Here were decent godless people;
Their only monument the asphalt road
And a thousand lost golf balls.””
—T.S. (Thomas Stearns)
“And Change with hurried hand has swept these scenes:
The woods have fallen, across the meadow-lot
The hunter’s trail and trap-path is forgot,
And fire has drunk the swamps of evergreens;
Yet for a moment let my fancy plant
These autumn hills again: the wild dove’s haunt,
The wild deer’s walk: in golden umbrage shut,”
—Frederick Goddard Tuckerman (1821–1873)