Posted in Results on Mar 27, 2013|

This photo of the 4th was taken last week…….
The question was asked of IRM – what is happening to the lakes? Initially the answer was that they will be filled soon. Soon in spanish is the same as manana – sometime in the future. After some pressing we did get a more definitive answer.
Evaporation from the lakes costs 30,000 euros a year (no leaks, only heat related). Water in Murcia is very expensive. The water in lakes holes 9 and 10 are necessary for irrigating the course. Lakes at holes 4, 5, and 13 are for aesthetic purposes only – that is to make the course look pretty. So the empty lakes will not be filled in the immediate future.
IRM will not spend money on the course to make it look prettier. At the same time, they have reduced the number of greenkeeper from 19 to 10. I have said for a few weeks that the course is in the worst condition I have seen it. Hollow tine marks still cover the greens – this was done in September. The rough contains many bare patches and this problem is being only partly addressed. At the same time as reducing costs, IRM intend to raise green fees to 90/100 euros for casual visitors which will suggest we have a top course by the price.
They obviously have been very successful in marketing the course as most days it is very busy. Golf packages staying at La Torre and Mar Menor are incredibly cheap and it seems hard to believe that they are making money from these offers.
While the design of the course is tremendous, lack of care will eventually be obvious and the reputation of our course will be damaged. It seems they are also trying to drive away the ‘bread and butter’ players – the course members. Annual membership has been withdrawn and the only other options are 6 course membership (another 437 euros, and transport costs to the other 5 courses) or pay and play. In this economic crisis there are plenty of other courses offering cheap green fees and membership with many possible options. We don’t want to leave Condado – we bought here to play here!
If anyone is listening from the banks reconsider your actions now before the damage is done!
Barry
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