| For those of us who live and
breathe golf, autumn in Andalusia can only mean one thing. Golf! If you're
a golfer and regular visitor you'll have noticed how the face of golf here is
changing. Green fees are shrinking to reasonable levels as clubs realise high
green fees equal low attendance. Courses are becoming eco-friendly, conserving
water and respecting wildlife and a few clubs are ditching the tired "club
sandwich" in favour of tiger prawns in a cream chilli sauce. Competition
is fiercer than ever, with over 100 courses in Andalusia in all (around 60 along
the coast). Service, facilities are up, fees are down, there are more special
packages - e.g. a round of golf and lunch, or breakfast and 9 holes included -
all good news for golfers! On the eco-front, Valderrama, where the world-famous
Volvo Masters championship s will be held in early November, recently won a conservation
award. It now has twice as many plant species as the surrounding natural countryside
and three times as many bird species. For great food, make a bee-line for
Greenlife Golf. Its Michelin-starred"El Lago" is run by a female chef
who is following in the footsteps of the El Bulli restaurant near Girona which
has well and truly put innovative Spanish cuisine on the map.
www.restauranteellago.com. New
on the scene is El Olivo at Marbella Golf and Country Club. What sets El Olivo
apart is its oriental take on Mediterranean dishes. Asian style salmon with wild
rice, thai style chicken soup, fresh lobster ravioli with cava sauce as well as
vegetarian options like wild mushroom lasagne with hazelnut pesto are some of
the delights at El Olivo. Tall palm plants decorate the covered terrace and the
view is almost as good as the food - a green landscape of trees and rolling fairways
that stretch all the way to the sea. Tel: (0034) 952 83 05 00 If you fancy
California style food with a progressive twist, another newcomer Hermosa is a
new restaurant at the entrance to Cabopino port, just five minutes from Cabopino
Golf. Chef Alex Nicoll is even planning to import a selection of Californian wines
for an authentic "Napa Valley" experience. Highly recommended. www.hermosabistro.com For
further details please call Tracey Mcleod directly on 0034 952 838 620 or visit
our website www.exclusive-marbella.com
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