Golf gives Balearics 161 million euro cash injection
According to a recent KPMG report, golf tourism generated 161 million euros for the Balearic Islands in 2011. With Mallorca hosting 24 of the Islands’ 26 courses, the impact on its local economy and property market is considerable.
Managing Director of Balearics Sotheby’s International Realty, Daniel Chavarria Waschke, says, “With 24 golf courses in just 3,640 square kilometres, Mallorca has a unique selling point to outshine other second home destinations. The climate allows you to play 12 months a year and usually without having to book far in advance or have a membership. Most of our clients are golfers and they are as surprised as they are pleased that if they buy a home in Son Vida or Santa Ponsa for example, they can access three different golf courses within five minutes. They might pay 20% or 30% more to have a golf-front home, but accept that these properties are in demand.”
Mallorca is an island perfectly suited to outdoor living and, surrounded by green and sea, golfing and yachting, it will always be in vogue for second homes. With the British, Germans and Swiss the keenest to live by the fairways, frontline golf property is second only to frontline sea property in terms of demand and price. And, even if they have no intention of ever swinging a club, many families still opt for gated golf communities as they are child-friendly and the beautiful green views are protected.
The same KPMG study said one million foreign golfers came to Spain in 2011, 35% of all European golf tourists, generating 1.2 billion euros for the Spanish economy. Andalucia took the lion’s share, 400 million euros, with the Balearics in second place with its 161 million euro slice. Golfers in Mallorca tend to stay in four and five star hotels spending around 165 euros each, every day.
In more good golfing news for Mallorca, the second edition of the Rolex World’s Top 1000 Golf Courses published in September features two of the Island’s greats – Golf Alcanada and Golf Son Gual. With only 23 Spanish golf courses making the cut for the top 1,000, and some 32,000 golf courses in existence in the world, this is some feat for Mallorca.
Golf Alcanada’s biggest ace is its location. Set at the north of the Island, it’s the only course in Mallorca to consistently follow the coastline and has the most incredible views across the Bay of Alcudia including the lighthouse on the island of Alcanada. Despite being opened as recently as 2003, this Robert Trent Jones Jr-designed course has a very mature feel to it and nature is in abundance with pine, oak and olive trees flanking the well-kept fairways and many rare and wild species of bird can be spotted throughout the round.
Rumoured to have cost a cool 30 million euros, Golf Son Gual opened in 2008 and is just a ten minute drive east of Palma. The 7,250 yard course works its way around 800 olive trees, plenty of bunkers, lakes and even neat rows of vineyards which produce Golf Son Gual’s own wine collection. The course has hosted tournaments such as the 2008 European Senior Tour packed with golfing legends from Sam Torrance to Ian Woosnam as well as a list of celebrities who choose to play at Golf Son Gual such as Rafael Nadal, Jamie Redknapp, Boris Becker and German national football coach Joachim Löw.
Golf Property On the market in Mallorca
Ref 5659, Villa in Santa Ponsa, Mallorca
Superb villa with direct frontline golf access in one of Santa Ponsa´s most exclusive and sought after residential areas. Built on a desirable plot, this welcoming home offers character, space, high ceilings and rustic beams together with a high specification kitchen, underfloor heating and air-conditioning. The open-plan lounge diner has views across the swimming pool and gardens to the fairways and mountains beyond. Outside there’s a handy barbecue house and pizza oven, a double garage and two well equipped guest apartments all set in attractive gardens. Ideally situated close to a selection of shops and restaurants, Santa Ponsa Country Club, newly redeveloped Port Adriano superyacht marina and quality golf courses.
Five bedrooms, six bathrooms
Built area 420m², Plot size 4,303m²
Price 2,995,000 million euros (approx 2.44 million pounds)
Ref 5813, Penthouse in Bendinat, Mallorca
This spectacular penthouse is located in Olinto, a residential complex in the upper part of Golf de Bendinat. Accessed via a lift from the garage, complete with three parking spaces, this penthouse is the only on the urbanization to have lift transport to its private roof terrace complete with outdoor kitchen and bar. With three bedrooms and three bathrooms, the property is spacious and has incredible panoramic views of the Mediterranean, golf course and Bendinat Castle. Olinto has a concierge service, communal outdoor swimming pool and heated indoor pool.
Three bedrooms, three bathrooms
Built area 200m²
Price 1.45 million euros (approx 1.18 million pounds)
For more information, visit mallorca-sothebysrealty.com.
