Son Gual Golf
A feature from the IAGTO Directory 2014
Son Gual Golf
Son Gual Golf Son Gual is a dream come true When German businessman Adam Pamer was disappointed by the courses he played on holiday in Mallorca, he went about putting it right. He decided he would build a golf course that came up to the standards he and his friends would demand. Pamer, who had been visiting the island since 1974, bought a track of attractive land just east of the island’s capital, Palma, engaged the three-time German amateur champion, Thomas Himmel, to design a course and dug deep to fund the development which opened officially in October 2007. It features large lakes, 66 bunkers, 800 olive trees - some more than a thousand years old - wild flowers in the rough areas and vineyards in several areas around the course. The olive trees and vineyards have already borne fruit - literally - as the club has its own wine and olive oil. As investments go, it has proved sound. Just four years after Golf Son Gual opened, it was recognised by Golf World magazine as the number one on the island and ninth best in Spain - quite an achievement given that much of the competition has been around a lot longer. The magazine’s review stated: “When Golf World visited, we could not have been more impressed - hence the significant rise up the rankings. Son Gual could have hosted a European Tour event the following morning by doing nothing more than take out the white tee markers and send the pros off the tips…”
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Son Gual Golf
That is a stunning testimonial for a golf course prepared only for a normal day’s play for members and visitors, and the outstanding condition was clearly one of the reasons for Son Gual’s leap from 91st to 44th position in Europe in Golf World’s Top 100 courses in Continental Europe - making it now the eighth-best course in Spain. In May 2009, it hosted the Mallorca Senior Open and received gushing praise from a number of the participants; former Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam even compared the greens to those at Augusta National. The 1991 Masters winner said: “It’s a bit like Augusta. There are a lot of slopes on the greens. You’ve got to get the ball on the right side of the hole - if you don’t you’ll be struggling. Miss it on the wrong side and you’re dead.” His sentiments were echoed by European Tour pro Chris Wood, who visited Son Gual recently and wrote on his blog: “The place [Son Gual], which is just outside Palma, is immaculate, while the course is similar to the ones we play on tour.” Compliments like that must have been music to the ears of Pamer and designer Himmel, and the Pamer family - Adam’s son, Andreas, is the club’s general manager - has refused to rest on its laurels and continues to push the boundaries as far as customer satisfaction levels are concerned. Andreas explained: “From the very first day my father envisaged this golf course, the priority was to enhance the golfing experience, whether you were a member or just a day visitor. That was one of the reasons we instigated the 15-minute gap between tee times. “We feel we have a championship course here but it is essential that a visit here can be enjoyed by all: low-handicappers or highhandicappers; golfer and non-golfers - which is why we also put such effort into the quality of the off-course experience, too, and continue to work hard on further projects to enhance the overall enjoyment.”
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Son Gual Golf
That outstanding off-course experience includes exceptional food which may be enjoyed on an expansive terrace with wonderful views across the course. Tight planning regulations - “tight” at least in Spanish terms meant that initially a hotel was not a consideration on the site, but the burgeoning international status of Son Gual and the desire to boost the local economy may soften opposition in the near future. And, earlier this year, the world’s third logical golf learning centre opened at Son Gual. Created by South African golf professional Robert Baker - who has worked with, among others, four-time Major winner and former world number one Ernie Els; actors Sylvester Stallone, Michael Douglas and Samuel L Jackson; and sports stars Nigel Mansell, Charles Barkley and Wladimir Klitschko - logical golf is a simple teaching method that focuses on visualising the complex golf techniques and develops a greater understanding of the bio-mechanics involved in making a solid swing. Big names are no strangers to Son Gual, with the course regularly hosting corporate events for the likes of Rolex, Mercedes Benz and Porsche. And the “big-name” visitors aren’t just in the guise of major brands - celebrities are also a regular sight. Tennis superstar Rafael Nadal, who was born on the island, is a frequent visitor when his schedule allows, while another tennis legend, Boris Becker, has been seen walking the fairways. “The secret of our success isn’t really a secret,” smiled the affable Andreas Pamer. “We work constantly on the quality of the golf course and the service in the clubhouse and restaurant and that is what everybody in our position should be looking to achieve. We aim to offer a high-quality golf experience at fair prices with the best service. Plus, being on a wonderful sunshine island like Mallorca helps too…” Copy supplied by Son Gual Golf 56
Contact details Son Gual Golf, Finca Son Gual, Palma de Mallorca, 07199, Spain
Tel: +34 971 7858 88 Fax: +34 971 7858 99 info@son-gual.com www.son-gual.com
Cover Photo: Majlis Course, Emirates Golf Club, Dubai • www.dubaigolf.com
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