The renowned Mallorcan golf course in the northeastern part of the island is set to re-turf all 18 of its greens with bentgrass Tee-1 this winter. As well as replace the sand in every bunker, repair cart paths, upgrade 3,000 meters of the underground irrigation system and improve the pro shop.
The Balearic island’s only golf course that is next to the sea (hole 16 pictured above) has already successfully re-laid the practice greens with the new bentgrass. Which is a variety of seed that is used at clubs such as Valderrama in Spain and the host of this year’s Ryder Cup, Golf National in Paris.
Director of golf course grounds of Club de Golf Alcanada, Borja Azpilicueta, is in charge of the revamp operation. He is convinced the final results will catapult Alcanada’s already acclaimed status:
— The work we are doing here will ensure that Alcanada’s future will be brighter than ever. When we are finished, the greens will be of fantastic quality. I cannot wait to start. The course is already 15 years old, and certain things do need to be upgraded. And I am confident that next spring the course will look remarkable.
U.S. grass in Mallorcan soil
The bentgrass Tee-1 is from the United States, but will be shipped in from mainland Spain where it will have been growing under special conditions. Ideally it needs nine months to grow old enough to be cut and rolled.
— It is the grass that is used at a lot of the most prestigious clubs across the world and will enhance the golfing experience at Alcanada, Azpilicueta said.
Alcanada has long been a favorite for golfers from across Europe. Not the least thanks to the views of Alcudia Bay and the lighthouse, from which the Robert Trent Jones Jr-designed course takes its name.
The project is being undertaken as the existing paspalum grass on the fairways and rough has invaded the greens. The work will begin during the off-season, starting the first week of December and being completed at the end of February. Thereby, the disruption to members and visitors is kept to a minimum.
The official opening after the revamp will be March 1, so it is a relatively quick process with some minor changes to the contours of the greens.
Club de Golf Alcanada has already made a host of other improvements over the last year or so. Including a new halfway house called the Lighthouse Bar and the introduction of TagMarshal, a course management system designed to speed up play by an average of 14 minutes.
The course is also home to a centuries-old Mallorca clubhouse, which offers guests a sun baked terrace that boats spectacular sea views.
Read more: Alcanada on the web
