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Gran Canaria & Tenerife great new golfing hotspotsMain photo:Amarilla Golf CourseEnjoy golf à la carte in theThink of the Canary Islands and you instantlythink of glorious year round sunshine,wonderful scenery, great visitor attractionsand a top class tourism infrastructure.Golf may not immediately spring to mind,although it may surprise you to learn that theReal Club de Golf de las Palmas dates back to1891. This is also a notable date in Irish golf asit was the year that the Golfing Union of Irelandwas founded.However, it’s only in recent times that golfhas started to flourish in the Canary Islandsand, as travel correspondent Noel Kellydiscovered on a recent visit, some very pleasantdiscoveries await in this very attractive golfinghotspot.Noel’s whistle-stop winter visit, organised bythe Spanish Tourist Board and local tourismorganisations, embraced Gran Canaria andTenerife, and it provided an appetising taste ofa delightful golfing menu.The beauty of the Canary Islands forgolfers is that it’s an all-year destination in asubtropical climate zone.There are eight golf courses, arranged in twoclusters, on the island of Gran Canaria.In the north of the island are Real Club deGolf de Las Palmas, El Cortijo Club de Campo,Las Palmeras Golf - all challenging 18 holecourses - along with Oasis Golf, an 18 holepar-54 course that offers the option of floodlitgolf in the evening.To the south of the island are MaspalomasGolf, a MacKenzie Ross design which datesback to 1968, Salobre Golf Resort, Anfi TauroGolf, an Arizona style course, and MelonerasGolf, a Ron Kirby design with stunning mountainand sea views.It’s a short flight hop from Gran Canaria toTenerife, which offers nine delightful golfcourses set in the most beautiful surroundings.Tenerife is an alluring tourist destination. Itis the largest of the Canary Islands and an idealplace to escape from the stresses of everydaylife. Known as the Island of Contrasts, Tenerifeoffers an array of unique experiences and funactivities throughout the year.Tenerife is already an established venue forprofessional and amateur golf events and itsnine courses are perfect for leisurely holidaygolf with Golf Las Americas, Amarilla Golf, GolfCosta Adeje, Golf del Sur, Abama Golf, RealClub de Tenerife, Buenavista Golf, Los Palosand Tecina Golf (on the neighbouring island ofLa Gomera) combining to create a tantalisinggolfing menu.Golf Las Americas30 | BACKSPINPhotos courtesy ofSpanish Tourist Board