Oliva Nova is one of those courses with a really enviable location. The eastern coast of Spain, washed by the Mediterranean Sea, has some of the most picturesque towns in the country and Oliva Nova, the course designed by Severiano Ballesteros, lies between two of them, Gandia and Denia.
Oliva Nova is an 18-hole par 72 Seve Ballesteros-designed course which opened in 1995. Over its more than 25 years it has become one of the most popular courses in the area, not only for the quality of Seve’s design but also for its natural setting and its facilities.
Covering about 50 hectares with wide fairways, gently undulating greens and water hazards, here it is the sea breezes that determine play strategy, depending on which way they are blowing. Oliva Nova is a long course, 6,312 metres, but it is a very comfortable to play and the tee shots are not especially difficult.
The 6th hole, a par 3, is one of the most emblematic of the course. Known as “Seve’s revenge”, there is no amateur who sets foot on Oliva Nova and it is not willing to challenge its 190 meters with a high green with great movement, perfectly defended by a front water hazard, a bunker on the left and slopes to the right and behind.
The practice facilities at Oliva Nova are worthy of the course. The driving range has 25 mats and space for up to 40 players to practice on a grass tee area. There is also a five-hole, par 3 course, with lengths of 50 to 90 metres – ideal for improving on pitch and putt. There is also an approach area and another for rehearsing bunker shots.
Life at Oliva Nova revolves around its clubhouse. On the upper floor is The Golf Club restaurant and function room. From here there is a sweeping view over the course to the 1st, 8th and 10th tees and the greens on the 7th, 9th and 18th. On the ground floor, golf enthusiasts can find all the top-brand equipment they need in the pro-shop, as well as the changing rooms, the club room and the area out to the buggy parking area.
As well as the golf course, Oliva Nova also has a four-star hotel, villas and holiday apartments, restaurants to suit all tastes, a spa circuit with a wide selection of treatments and massages, a gym and an exciting list of complementary services to guarantee a wonderful experience off the golf course too.