"We merely defend the idea of a natural golf course, adapting its color to the time of year," says López. "Logically these fields will be yellow and brown during summer and autumn. Only in spring will it be totally green." Overlooking his bone-dry club, dotted with almond trees, he adds: "Let's just say we're going back to the origins of golf. Natural surroundings, just like the conditions and design of the course."
Currently Quijorna has about 285 members who fully accept the withered look of their playground, which consumes no more liters of water than an average household in a year. "At first sight, it's shocking. But at least you feel like a part of nature. It's not an artificial surface you're playing on. It's perfect," says Juan Martïn, who just joined the reduced-water golf course. He certainly doesn't view Quijorna's crunchy landscape as a handicap. tel: (34-628) 64 34 11; www. quijornagolf.com