Las
Joyas was a return for Mike to the dry
and sunbaked mediterranean style course,
and the name of this course is known as
'The Jewels' in Spanish. The use of grass
textures here is paramount to the whole
look and feel of this course, as hazards
are bordered by dry brown bermunda grass
which really contrasts to the lusher
fairways and is blended superbly well.
This course uses all the tricks to make
playing an exciting adventure with lakes,
creeks, elevation and bunkers all mixing
up the challenge. The course also
features some of the very best par 3
holes ever put together visually on one
course. A lovely log cabin style
clubhouse by Pat Auge overlooks the 9th
and 18th holes. The is probably the
prettiest course that Mike Jones has
produced and is also the most enclosed by
the surrounding woodlands.
Four
Favourite Holes
Hole 4
- This is a real menace of a par 4. At
just over 410 yards your tee shot simply
must find the fairway as your subsequent
approach must then clear a large lake to
reach a small green that is backed by a
lovely rock outcrop. A guarding left
fairway bunker means you are likely to
think about playing short off the tee,
but this doesnt help too much creating a
longer and blinder approach. The ball
seems to find the rough like a magnet
here and you will often face a really
nasty decision to lay up or go for broke.
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Las
Joyas (4th hole)
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Hole 5
- A stunning par 3 at 185 yards, and one
of the great views in the Links game as
you look down over a mounded green
heavily guarded by three bunkers. At the
tee grows fox gloves and mauve flowers
which add lovely colour, and away to your
right a stream flows away under a bridge
to a small waterfall. It is a masterpiece
of visual design, but equally packs a
punch too as the slopes will tend to take
your ball away from the hole and into the
hazards at every opportunity.
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Las
Joyas (5th hole)
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Hole 10
- A long par 4 at over 450 yards that can
have you in all sorts of trouble off the
tee. First off the driving area is cut by
a creek which really you need to clear
rather than play too safe. However, drive
too long and there are bunkers waiting.
The hole also doglegs right but where you
may like to cut the corner off the tee
there are trees blocking. It leaves a
real dilema, a fade to the right is the
best choice but if you pull the ball too
far then the creek is likely to gobble up
your ball for a penalty. A really clever
hole and one where par is a relief.
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Las
Joyas (10th hole)
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Hole 18
- A longish par 5 to finish which is 575
yards and is bordered down the left side
by a large lake. To have any chance of
reaching the green in two shots you must
take on a drive skirting with the left
bunkers. Even then the lake will probably
come into play on the 2nd shot. Taking a
three shot strategy is safer and allows
you to admire the view across the lake
with a large waterside bunker overlooked
by the log clubhouse. It is a great
finishing hole which is just a delight to
look at.
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Las
Joyas (18th hole)
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Las Joyas is a
thinking mans course that will not be
overcome simply by raw power off the tee.
Strategy is all important as you plot
your way around, and knowing the flattest
areas of the fairway can give you a real
advantage. Taking big risks to recover
par here can easily lead to a disaster.
This is one of the best looking courses
in the game, the blending of grass
textures adds colour and depth to the
views, and the close woodland trees frame
the holes neatly. Lakes and creeks are
beautifully planted and bunkers are
smooth edged giving this course a well
manicured feel where the groundsmen can
give themselves a well deserved round of
applause.
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