Spain's Royal Pedrena -- Born into royalty and adopted by Seve

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Golf in Spain is more often than not associated with the Mediterranean Coast. It is in and around the sunny resort areas of southern Spain where most course development has taken place, especially since the 1960's. The beginnings of Spanish golf however were not in the south but in the north of the country and the very first courses have a history some 50 years longer than most in the Mediterranean region.

Pedrena Golf is considered Harry Colt's best design on Continental Europe.

Pedrens'a worrisome slopes don't exactly instill confidence.

Encroaching trees only add to the difficulties presented by Pedrena.

The views across Santander Bay bring with them a cantankerous wind to be contended with.

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Northern Spain today remains very much undiscovered by visitors, yet this is an area rich in history and culture, with fantastic food and wines and surprisingly for most, excellent golf. This should however come as no surprise as it is the north of Spain that has produced two of the country's greatest modern day golfers, Jose Maria Olazabal and the inimitable, Severiano Ballesteros. The courses where they learned the game and still call home are here and available for the visitor to experience.

Real Golf Club de Pedrena (The Royal Golf Club of Pedrena) claims Seve Ballesteros as its native son. It is here that Seve learned and perfected his craft and it is here where he maintains his permanent home, overlooking the course that he still plays.

The renowned English architect, Harry Colt, designed the original 18-hole layout, which stands as a tribute to Colt's mastery of the technicalities of golf and is considered his finest design on the Continent.

Opened in 1928, Pedrena was immediately proclaimed by the European golfing world to be the best golf course in Europe. King Alfonso XIII, the Spanish monarch at the time and a keen golfer, who had accepted the title of Honorary President, promptly bestowed the Royal title upon it. Whether this was a shrewd political move by the members, or not, is not the issue -- Royal or not, Pedrena is a spectacular layout, deserving of more visitor attention than is the case.

The course enjoys a spectacular location, situated on a small peninsula jutting into the Bay of Santander. With picture-postcard views across the bay to the city of Santander and snow-capped mountains beyond, the sea to the front and the Cubas River running along two other sides, it would be hard to imagine a more dramatically beautiful site.

At 6,340 yards from the tips and playing to a par of 70, this is not a long course, but what it lacks in length is more than made up for in difficulty. Mr. Colt in his own style, has made strategy the key to success at Pedrena. While the big hitters have their opportunities, the risks involved will give even the most confident, cause to think twice before being too aggressive. It's the thinking golfer with a carefully planned approach and the ability to execute, who will arrive at the 19th hole with the better scorecard.

Rather hilly with an abundance of trees and a rough to match any you may have encountered before, the ever-present, though fickle wind coming in from the sea adds a certain links quality to this regal test. With the demands presented by Pedrena, you quickly realize that Ballesteros learned his amazing art of recovery under the toughest of conditions.

In 1991, the members of Royal Pedrena decided to extend their well respected Colt course by a further 9 holes on land they had available, running along the banks of the river. Who better to bring in to design the new layout than the local member who lives in the neighborhood, Seve Ballesteros.

Taken on as a labor of love, Seve put his heart and soul into the 9 hole layout that opened in the summer of 1992. He has come up with a spunky design taking full advantage of the hilly terrain and the river, which comes into play on 7 of the 9 holes.

The new course may not be the primary reason that brings you to Pedrena, but those who linger a little longer to play it, won't be disappointed and quickly learn that this is a 9-hole track to be reckoned with.

Real Golf Club de Pedrena is a special experience for any golfer and it showcases the attractions of northern Spain, sometimes referred to as The Real Spain, in grand style.

The courses at Pedrena are not only challenging, they are also immaculately maintained and among the best cared for in the entire country. Visitors will also find the clubhouse, originally used as a summer residence for Queen Victoria Eugenia and another member of the Spanish Royal Family addicted to golf, to be more than welcoming.

Don't expect a palace though, but a very comfortable clubhouse where any golfer will immediately feel at home. And be sure to leave time enough to savor the amazing multi-course lunch the club provides. Food is as important to Spaniards as anything and the cuisine of Northern Spain is the best in the country. Royal Pedrena Golf Club is as proud of their kitchen as they are of their golf courses and after experiencing it, you can only agree.

Pedrena is one of a selection of top quality courses in this region and a week in the North of Spain will reveal a side of Spanish golf well worth becoming much more familiar with. For more suggestions on where to find and play the very best of Spain's golf, click here.

©2009 David Brice / Golf International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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