Four members of Europe's victorious Ryder Cup team tee-up this week for the Heineken Classic at Vines Report.
Ian Woosnam will be looking to secure a second Heineken title after winning the event in 1996 with an 11 under par 277. Spain's José Maria Olazábal and Denmark's Thomas Björn compete in their second tournament of 1998, with Germany's Bernhard Langer, four times winner on the European Tour in 1997 beginning his season in Perth.
The Vines Resort, nestled in superb bushland in picturesque Swan Valley wine growing regions has set a new standard in West Australian resort complexes and real estate developments.
The Championship test for the Heineken Classic is a composite of the Ellenbrook course for the front nine holes and the Lakes course. It is a finely balanced, demanding test, which winds along the banks of the beautiful Ellenbrook, through gently undulating natural bushland, and with three dramatic lakes around the resort centre.
The Vines Resort has hosted a top golf tournament since its inception, starting with the Vines Classic in 1990, and now the internationally important Heineken Classic.
Australia's Robert Allenby clamed the Heineken Classic title in 1995 with a 10 under par score of 178 at the Vines, where the final three holes are guaranteed to test ability and nerves to the full. Woosnam followed in 1996 and twelve months ago Miguel Angel Martin shot 70-67-65-71 for 273 to win by one from Fred Couples.
The composite course measures 7101 yards, with all four of the par fives ranging from 517 yards in length, being stern tests for even the longest of hitters. Seven of the ten par fours are over 400 yards, and four short holes, from 170 to 219 yards, comprise an extremely high examination of accuracy.
Gum trees bordering the fairway make the 413 yards seventh, calling for the only uphill shot on the course, the most scenic hole, but deep bunkers guarding the green on the right make it dangerous to let the view interfere with concentration.
The 196 yards 16th, 427 yards 17th and 517 yards 18th combine to provide the kind of finish that can change the outcome of the tournament in a moment. Over 50 yards in length, the 16th green sits hard against an intimidating lake on the right, just waiting to punish any cut shot.
Pressure at the 17th starts on the tee with the sight of water on the left of a fairway narrowing to 45 yards and sloping towards the lake. those bold enough to take the driver can be rewarded with a simple approach to the green.
Then comes an ideal finishing hole offering the chance of an eagle three for the brave and dire penalties for the wayward. There is water the full length down the left, a lake in front of the green and another to the right. Drive long, miss the fairway bunkers, and the green can be reached in two. the safer route is to lay up in front of the lake and pitch on for three. But when an eagle is wanted to win, the excitement of the spectators will match the pressure heaped upon the would-be champion.
LOCATION: 30 minutes from City of Perth.
COURSE RECORD: 63 (-9) by Padraig Harrington.
