Parador de El Saler

About the club

Parador El Saler, just outside Valencia, is home to one of Spain's classic courses, the masterwork of master architect Javier Arana. Completed in 1968, El Saler is something of a blend of the heather and pines of Britain's Formby and the seaside sand dunes of France's Le Touquet. Thus the opening nine holes are routed amid the woods, and the back nine are set on spacious links terrain. The grounds are actually part of the La Albufera Nature Preserve. There are naturally breezes off the shore, but they tend not to be fierce, and better golfers will appreciate the added challenge. That was the case at the 1989 Spanish Open, when Bernhard Langer scored a 60 despite the gusts. The resort features luxury accommodations at its hotel, soccer and swimming facilities and a spa. The European PGA has selected the club to host a number of its qualifying events over the years.