REGION Puglia
COUNTY Lecce
LOCALITY Acaya

PHONE: 0832861378
FAX: 0832861384

DESCRIPTION

The technical and agronomic restructuring, together with entire remodelling, of the course at the DoubleTree by Hilton Acaya Golf Club was started in 2007 by the American firm Hurdzan – Fry. Named amongst the most prestigious in the world, Hurdzan – Fry features an environmentally friendly approach to golf. It is a simple and traditional approach, essentially functional, making the game of golf accessible to all. Above all the design is ecologically sustainable, a factor which is particularly interesting to the DoubleTree By Hilton Acaya Golf Club, situated as it is, close to a natural oasis of around 380 hectares, offering rare natural landscapes and a refuge to numerous waterfowl. In the valuable natural vegetation of the Mediterranean scrub, the Hurdzan – Fry firm has been able to elegantly redesign a splendid 18 hole Par 71 course, in harmony with the surrounding natural resources, using a variety of terrain to make play interesting at all levels : professionals or amateurs, men, women or juniors. Founded in 1957 by Jack Kindwell, professional golfer, superintendent and a highly perceptive architect of golf courses, the firm has from the beginning worked in collaboration with Michael Hurdzan. Internationally recognised as an authority on golf courses and their environmental impact, the firm”s books on golf course architecture are today considered to be ‘the modern bible of golf course design”. In over 50 years of operation, the firm has designed more than 300 golf courses on 4 continents. The course of the DoubleTree By Hilton Acaya Golf Club, designed by the famous American firm, Hurdzan / Fry, meanders through an area of rare natural beauty surrounded by the green of Mediterranean vegetation. The 18 hole, Par 71 course measures 6,192 metres. The variety of the design, the constant search for perfect harmony between the natural characteristics of the land and the manner of the shots, urges players to use all 14 woods and irons in the bag. The grass of the fairways, a strong and compact American bermuda from seed, provides an excellent surface to ensure a consistently clean and sharp shot. Four types of fescue grass allowed to grow to their natural height border the fairways. Two types of agrostis stolonifera palustris - A4 and A1 – were used for the greens: a composition which has about twice the stem density as common Penncross. The widespread and diverse distribution of water allows the watering of the grass to be controlled, so as to reduce any possibility of over-watering or wastage. A complex system of lakes and streams, which allows the management and conservation of oxygenated water, results naturally in a system of waterfalls; an impressive work of hydraulic engineering which provides a delicate soundtrack and a series of obstacles along 9 of the 18 holes. Some of the 18 holes are skirted with beautiful lakes and streams strategically placed; you can see the ponds on holes 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 18. A wonderful waterfall divides hole 11 from hole 12. The wind, “the most important and fascinating of hazards” characterises the course almost as if it were one of the Scottish links, and urges you to choose a direction and trajectory to take advantage of the drift. The mild climate makes it particularly enjoyable to play and stay at this resort year round.