Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort is an 18-hole par-72 course designed by Severiano Ballesteros and opened in 1995. In its more than 25 years it has become one of the most popular courses in the area, not only for the quality of its design but also for its natural setting and facilities.
On the east coast of Spain, bathed by the Mediterranean, Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort enjoys enviable temperatures all year round, guaranteeing golf at any time of the year. For that reason, many professional players choose to train using its facilities. These are complemented by a four-star hotel, villas and apartments, spa, gym, padel tennis and 12 food and drink areas.
Rafael Velasco Pedrol, director of Oliva Nova Golf and the person who best knows the course, tells us about the round and the facilities as well as the golfing challenges players face
Oliva Nova was designed by Severiano Ballesteros; can you tell me about the golf course and its features?
Yes, in fact, the design is one of the main strong points. For the course-design connoisseurs, this was a Severiano Ballesteros masterpiece, where he combined long and wide par 4’s with other holes which are more technical but achievable in distance terms. In particular, holes 5 and 18 can be reached with a single drive, although the greens are very well defended by water.
The par 5’s are recovery holes and the par 3’s are somewhat more demanding, with the 6th, known by the locals as ‘Seve’s revenge’, being the most difficult. This hole requires a great tee shot to reach the green, which is defended by a ditch and a bunker. In general, the course is suited to an amateur of average ability, which is why it is so popular with players of all levels.
The slight drop offs and the large size of the greens mean that we can play with different pin positions and so make the course harder when certain competitions require it.
The setting is really special – very close to Marjal de Pego-Oliva Natural Park, which means we have a wide variety of wildlife. The views of the Segria mountains, together with the large number of palm trees and lakes, not only set off the golfing experience perfectly but also make for a really pleasant trip round.
Worth mentioning is that the course is on an expanse of flat land next to the sea, with little distance between green and tee, so players have no problem walking it.
What types of challenges does it offer golfers of varying skill levels?
There are several challenges, the main one being in game strategy, as water hazards are on 16 of the 18 holes, but they can be avoided if you know how to play each hole, as the wide fairways let you keep them out of play.
As for the shots around the green, these are areas that are always in very good condition, so if you miss the green, you can recover well if you can master the chip shots. The putts must be read very well because they have slight drops, but the ball roll is very good quality and clean.
What additional facilities and services does Oliva Nova golf course offer, such as the golf academy, pro shop, restaurants, etc.
The services are very comprehensive; the pro shop has the latest collections, a wide variety of clothing brands, golf equipment and club hire. From there we go to the driving range, which has space for 50, divided between a grassed area and a roofed area with mats.
The academy has three teachers and many tools for teaching golf. We also have five pitch & putt holes which are a comfortable way to start out in golf. These holes are between 50 and 90 metres long and are used by players of all levels to practise.
On the 1st tee, next to the 7th green, we have a newly built hut with drinks, snacks and essential golf equipment such as balls, caps, gloves, sun cream, etc., the basics to start a round of golf.
What is the management and maintenance philosophy of the golf course in sustainability terms?
We use a lot of plant extracts and preventive biological treatments, which means that pests and diseases that can affect the grass are under control.
We strive for high quality in the mowing of the different parts of the golf course, the machinery has been recently replaced, reducing energy costs. We are bringing in electric equipment, but due to its low operating range that is still a small percentage.
The efficient use of water, with constant tweaks to the irrigation circuit, has seen the yield improve a lot in recent years. The use of grass varieties with low water requirements during the hottest time of year means demand for irrigation is lower, which translates into a sustainable course in the heart of the eastern, Mediterranean coast.
The resort and its golf course welcome a large number of professional players for training. What are their reasons for choosing the course year in year out?
First off, they are looking for good weather, which is guaranteed here. They choose us because of the setting – we have a five-star resort with all the services and direct access to the beach. In addition, the resort has 200 recently refurbished rooms, a state-of-the-art spa and gym, a large golf course with the best training areas locally, seven padel tennis courts and gastronomy of the highest level with 12 places for food and drink open in high season.
Another accommodation option are the villas and apartments for rent next to the golf course, which means we have a wide range to choose from to match the needs of the professional players who visit us. Another important point is the ability to personalise our packages and, above all, our great team to give a top-notch experience all the way.