Course of the Month - Vall d'Ordino, Andorra.

Nestled in the picturesque valley of Ordino, right in the heart of Andorra, is the recently renovated Pitch & Putt course Vall d'Ordino. It is especially pleasurable to play the game when surrounded by such great panoramic views of the Andorran mountains.

The course, built in 2002, has nine greens, but two very different tee-boxes per hole, so as to make a round of 18 holes quite challenging indeed. Like in Catalonia, the course is laid out for both international and - slightly longer - local competitions. Such competitions are organised with players playing to a carefully monitored handicap as recommended by FIPPA. The academy has programmes are especially dedicated to encouraging younger players to take up the sport.

The Club House is in the typical mountain chalet style and offers changing and shower facilities, lunch menus and often great entertainment during the frequent barbeques on the terrace.

It is a course suitable for players of any level. For more experienced players, it offers spectacular holes and artificial water hazards that require precision of pitch.

The examination begins immediately at the first. Stroke Index 3, this difficult 78 metre shot requires intelligent strategy. With Out of Bounds to the left and right, the green is protected by two bunkers. The green has two elevated platforms.

The ninth is considered Ordino's toughest assignment. These 94 metres demand high precision. The sweeping river Valira forms the left boundary of the fairway. Bunkers add to the complexity.

Hole 7 measures 80 metres (Stroke Index 13). The green is protected by lots of water. A lake along with a creek that crosses the fairway can give even a top exponent nightmares. The green is very flat but falls away at the back penalizing those who take too much club to escape the water. Bunkers add to the difficulty.

The relatively easy 54 metres 17 Index sixth is the second shortest hole. The green is the most complicated element. The central area of the green is the highest, so it falls away to all sides.

Facilities include:
Driving range
Illuminated Putting Green
Approach area
Pro Shop
golf school
equipment rental
clubhouse and bar
covered and illuminated terrace with barbecue
changing rooms with showers

Director: Orlando L. Francesconi
Professor: Gonzalo Mendoza
Greenkeeper: Adrian Brugnole



E-mail the club..

Telephone the club at: + 376332227

The Vall d'Ordino website can be found here...

(special thanks to Martin Whitelaw and Quim Riera for the information provided for this article)