As the golf season reaches its dramatic conclusion, attention turns to the stunning Balearic island of Mallorca, where careers are transformed and dreams are realised at the prestigious Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final.
Dramatic Victory Secures Tour Card
Norwegian golfer Kristoffer Reiten produced a career-defining performance at Club de Golf Alcanada, claiming victory in the season-ending tournament to spectacularly climb 29 places in the Road to Mallorca standings. This remarkable achievement secures his DP World Tour card for the 2025 season, marking a significant milestone in his professional career.
Meanwhile, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen topped the overall Race to Mallorca rankings, earning his place alongside Reiten on the premier DP World Tour circuit next season. The Challenge Tour has long served as the proving ground for golfing greats, with legends including Thomas Bjorn, Tommy Fleetwood and Edoardo Molinari all having graduated to the main tour through this pathway.
Alcanada: A Mediterranean Masterpiece
For the past two years, Club de Golf Alcanada has hosted this crucial season finale, with Mallorca serving as the tour's concluding destination for six consecutive years. The course represents everything that makes Mediterranean golf so special, combining championship challenge with breathtaking scenery.
Designed by renowned architect Robert Trent Jones Jr and opening in 2003, Alcanada stretches to 6,559 yards from the championship tees. The course takes players on a captivating journey through diverse landscapes, weaving uphill through mountainous terrain and farmland before descending to skirt the spectacular coastline.
The course derives its name from the iconic lighthouse situated on an island just offshore, visible from multiple vantage points around the property. The club's heritage is equally fascinating, having been founded in 1985 by club president Federico Knuchel and Hans-Peter Porsche of the legendary automotive family.
Playing conditions at Alcanada demand precision and strategy. The lush fairways are complemented by punishing rough, while strategically placed bunkers and water hazards test every aspect of a golfer's game. The par-five first hole immediately sets the tone, requiring careful navigation of a narrow fairway and a stream-protected green.
Beyond the championship challenge, Alcanada excels in hospitality and sustainability. The club maintains six beehives on its outskirts and employs a herd of donkeys for natural grass maintenance near the 13th hole. The stunning Mediterranean villa clubhouse provides the perfect setting for post-round relaxation, offering terrace dining with spectacular views over Alcudia Bay.
The Perfect Golfing Getaway
For British golfers seeking to escape autumnal weather, Mallorca presents the ideal destination, with Alcanada offering green fees between £150 and £175 from September to December, and junior golfers playing for just £39 year-round.
Just an hour's drive north lies another golfing gem: Pula Golf Resort and Spa. This traditional Mediterranean retreat centres around a converted manor house dating back to 1581, offering a unique blend of history and modern luxury.
The golf course itself, originally founded in 1995 and redesigned by Ryder Cup legend Jose Maria Olazabal in 2004, presents a 6,297-yard par-72 challenge. The layout features dramatic elevation changes, numerous water hazards, and strategically complex holes that have tested DP World Tour professionals during eight editions of the Mallorca Classic.
Pula distinguishes itself through its self-sufficient approach, maintaining its own farm that supplies produce to the exceptional on-site restaurant. The accommodation continues the theme of authentic Mallorcan charm, with converted barns featuring traditional decor and historic artefacts.
With green fees around £58 and excellent practice facilities including a two-tier driving range with Trackman technology, Pula offers outstanding value while maintaining the quality that once hosted professional tournaments.
Together, these two exceptional courses showcase why Mallorca has become one of Europe's premier golf destinations, combining world-class golf with authentic Mediterranean culture, making it the perfect autumn escape for British golfers seeking sunshine and challenge.
