57 weren’t any in the original design. Now there are half a dozen.” Williams agrees that the proliferation of trees is the course’s biggest problem. “The property is small and tight, and it really can’t hold as many trees as are there at the moment,” he says. “On several holes, there are trees right in the middle of the fairways – which are not wide enough to accommodate them – and at a distance from the tee that really affects average golfers far more than the better ones. On the fourteenth hole there are some lovely native trees that you really cannot see, because they are surrounded by planted ones!” The architect has plans for a reservoir between the first fairway and the rather unusual practice facility, which really cannot justify the title of ‘range’ – it is a practice tee hitting into a large depression, nowhere near big enough for golfers to hit long clubs. The twelfth hole currently has two greens – the newer one, further back and right, was built to give extra distance, but is essentially blind from the fairway. Williams prefers the old one. “I think it’s a better hole to the old green because it is visible and makes for an interesting driveable par four,” he says. “Because the new one is near the clubhouse of the equestrian club, where they have some facilities, I suggested making the new green into a short game practice area. However, there is reluctance to surrender length, because the course is short enough as it is.” Although the course is short, there is one group of players for whom it is too long. “The ladies play from far too far back. At the time it was built there weren’t that many ladies and invariably the tee was just built on the front of the men’s tees. We’re going to do something about that,” he says. “Also, a lot of the bunkers are hazards to lesser golfers and not in play for better ones, we need to sort that out, as well as introducing new drive bunkers on all three par fives to make better players think a little. But in general, it’s tweaking, rather than reinvention.” He also plans to introduce native vegetation into carry areas to reduce the irrigation requirement. If Williams’ plans are properly executed, Real Las Palmas will be significantly improved. And if plans to build an extended clubhouse terrace with billion-dollar views over the volcanic caldera come to fruition, the club will truly be making a splash. After over a hundred and thirty years, the club seems set fair for the same again and more! GCA Photos: Real Las Palmas
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