January 2016
Dima, Basque
Dima is one of the leading courses in the Basque Country. Situated in the province of Biscay, it played host to the 2014 Quadrangular International – Catalonia, Galicia. Basque and France.
The tee of hole No. 1 is located a few metres to the right just after crossing the bridge over the river that is near the Dima Clubhouse, which houses the facilities of the Cider House and Restaurant. The route of this hole, a distance of 120 metres, runs parallel to the river toward the beech forest, ends at a green near a large oak and features a fairway lined with fruit trees. It is one of many holes with double tees for compliance with EPPA norms.
The 2nd tee is to the left of the green of hole 1 and is near a natural ditch beside the apple farm. The green lies 62 metres away and is slightly diagonally to the right, north facing and towards the beech forest.
The 3rd is 53 metres long and requires a shot slightly to the right, toward the edge of the course with a small green situated between the river and a wet area, within the area known as Shady Oaks. The ball may need to be kept low, since it has to go through a natural window that is formed by the branches of the fir trees and also carry the river. It is considered by many as the most challenging hole of the course.
The 4th begins its journey in front of the green of hole 3 and on a path ascending parallel to the edge of the farm. It requires a straight and accurate shot of 70 metres to a green that has the difficulty of being very small.
On the 5th, the tee lies to the left of the green of hole 4. The hole wends its downward path towards the beech, but is framed by tall pines, and ends on a very attractive flat green. The distance of the hole is 68 metres.
The 6th starts a few metres to the right of the green of hole 5 with a shot of 58 metres to a green situated to the right of the natural drainage channel. It is a pitch that must fly over a water hazard. A relatively short teeshot with a generous green.
The 7th tee is situated to the left of the previous green. 67 metres long, this uphill assignment has a wall of fruit trees to the left, with a large slope to the right of a green similar to the 4th hole, which again requires maximum concentration.
The 8th features dual tees of 101 metres and 50 metres (EPPA). Northwest has a southeast exposure. It's a straight shot down a fairway street with a natural slope and there’s a tricky little bunker in front of the green.
The 9th has a downward trajectory of 96 metres back towards the clubhouse and the natural drain of the estate. There’s an EPPA tee from 51 metres, and the generous fairway is surrounded by fruit trees.
The 13th tee lies just metres above the green of hole No. 12. The 13th features an 82-metre shot almost directly towards the road that cuts through of the course, and is a hole where the natural landscape blends with the course, near the Urkiola natural park. The green has a small sand bunker on the left entrance.
The 14th plays 100 metres slightly uphill. Perfectly integrated in the fruit plantation, it is the point at which the course is at its most scenic.
The complex also features a bar, a restuarant and an equipment shop.
Address of the course is Carretera Dima-Otxandio Km.38. Bilbao is just 35 minutes away. Telephone the course on 94.4046147.