Sao Paulo, the world’s third largest city with more than 20 million people living within its confines, is possibly the last place you would expect to find a golf course designed in the true traditions of the game. But hidden in the heart of the urban jungle is a golfing treasure.
Indeed, it is not until you are within the walled boundary of Sao Paulo Golf Club that you realise there is a golf course anywhere in the vicinity. But as you make your way up the drive, the world is transformed as the streets make way for fairways and exotic trees replace the tower blocks.
Sao Paulo Golf Club celebrates its centenary this year and for a second successive season hosts the Sao Paulo Brazil Open. The club boasts a rich history dating back to 1901 when it was founded by British Engineers building the Sao Paulo Railway. In 1915, the Club moved to its current location. Designed by renowned Canadian architect, Stanley Thompson, the course is both traditional and competitive and retains many of the original features.
Twelve months ago The European Tour made its first soiree to Sao Paulo for the second of two tournaments in Brazil. Ireland’s Padraig Harrington won the title but the round of the week belonged to Englishman Matthew Blackey as he set a course record of 63, eight under par, in the second round. Relishing a return to Sao Paulo, Blackey recalled his lowest round as a professional to date.
“I found myself in the rough quite a bit but every time I got on the greens the putts went flying in,” he said. “It was strange because Brazil had tropical climate with grainy greens and I certainly struggled the first day. I took the attitude not to look too much into it and just hit it where I saw. They weren’t short putts. I must have holed four of five from outside 25 feet. It was just one of those days.
“The only annoying thing was I didn’t keep it going throughout the weekend. I played better on Saturday and Sunday but putted a lot worse and dropped down the field.”
Blackey finished joint 13th, his second highest finish of the season. A year later, despite losing his card after finishing 126th in the Volvo Order of Merit, he is raring to go armed with the knowledge gleaned from his last visit to the course.
“I think it will be an advantage knowing the course this time,” he said. “I felt I got to grips with it last year, knowing where to hit it and where not to hit it. Having good memories helps as well. It was my second best finish and certainly my best round and I’m looking forward to returning.
“The course itself is not long but you have got to be straight. The rough is tricky and when you go in it is very hard to control the ball. The fairways are also fairly narrow. You have to plot your way round. Leave yourself on the right side of the flag and leave yourself with uphill putts, into grain putts to give yourself a chance.
“The other thing to consider is the conditions. It is always hot and sticky. By the end of the round you are getting tired. More tired than usual.
“The first key hole is the sixth. It’s a long par four, slight dog leg to the left. With the rough how it is you have to hit the fairway and it helps if you are a long way down there. It is probably 440 yards so crucial to hit it well off the tee which sets you up for an iron shot. But it is one of those holes that you just try to get it in the middle of the green. I made two threes there in the four rounds and it was probably playing over its par four. To make two threes was a big bonus.
“The next crucial hole is the ninth. A little par three back towards the clubhouse. Only about 170 odd yards but the green severely slopes from back to front. It is very grainy and there is a little lake short and left of the green. You have to play it to get over water but you don’t want it past the flag. I saw a lot of guys three putt that last year. I got out of there with four threes and that was probably better than some of the birdies.
“The 11th is quite a tricky hole. Again not that long but water all down the right and thick rough and a bank on the left. You have to hit the fairway again but you are drawn away from the water. If you get it in the rough the green is raised above you and you can’t control your second shot. You lose control of the ball and the green is very slopey as well with two tiers. It’s only a two iron and a wedge or nine iron but you have to hit it on the fairway, ideally on the right half but then you are flirting with the water as well. You need to leave it below the hole. I did and made two threes so I played some of the trickier holes well.
“The 15th is a long par three, probably a three iron. It’s crucial being at the end of the round. They cut the pin in the right corner last year which is over two big bunkers. That’s where I stumbled in the last round. I hit it left of the green and out of the rough you can’t control the ball. I made four there. If the pin is on the left it is not to bad but with it on the right you have to hit a high long iron which is never the easiest thing to do, especially at the end of the tournament. The flag is going to be on the right on the last day.
“The 17th is probably the last key hole to play well. It is a reachable par five if you can find the fairway but it is a narrow target. There are a couple of bunkers down the right from the tee and then you hit it right you can be blocked out by a stand of trees. It’s a slight dog leg to the right to a slightly raised green. The pin tends to be tucked to the right. If you hit the drive long and down the left side it becomes almost a long par four but if you don’t hit a top tee shot you are going to struggle. You can still make five but you will find five out of ten guys can knock it on in two or short and make a chip up and make four.
“The 18th is not a long hole. Three wood and a short mid iron. It’s not that difficult a hole apart from being the last one.”
The signature hole is the short ninth. Blackey added: “It’s just a little par three and looks nothing from the tee. Only a six iron. But you have a couple of looks up and suddenly the water starts glistening at you and it steers you away from it. I saw a lot of guys go big and from behind the green it just falls off and you are left with a tricky chip.”
Sao Paulo beckons once again and Blackey is aiming for gold.
