The Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A is just over a week away and, with eight days to go, we are shining a spotlight on the venue, Club de Golf Alcanada, and what the top 45 will need to do to tame it.
Hole 13
The monstrous 496-yard par four 13th hole is one to be carefully approached. Hitting from an elevated tee box, it’s a dog-leg left with a relatively small landing area. Players will be faced with a long approach into the green, which is protected by a bunker short right and to the left. Looking back on the 2019 Grand Final, there were only ten birdies all week, showcasing just how tough the 13th is.
Hole 1
Everyone likes a nice start to their round, and that’s just what the professionals get in Alcúdia. The 501-yard par five first at Club de Golf Alcanada played the second-easiest at the 2019 Grand Final, with seven eagles and whopping 67 birdies carded at the opener. It is a fairly straightforward tee shot, with the fairway weaving down towards the ravine, which leaves players with the only tricky question to answer; go for the green, or lay-up? The green is tucked behind the trees slightly so the easy option is to clip it over the ravine, short of the green, and get up and down for birdie. Sounds simple, right?
Hole 11
Statistically the easiest hole in 2019, it is evident that to achieve success, you need to take advantage of the par fives at Club de Golf Alcanada. Standing at 606 yards, the par five 11th is on the long side, but with little trouble. For most, it will be a drive, lay-up and chip – hence only three eagles all week in 2019 – but that approach almost guarantees walking away without a blemish. Across four rounds – 180 attempts – 76 birdies and only ten bogeys or worse.
Overview
At Club de Golf Alcanada, par is your friend. Francesco Laporta’s winning score in 2019 was just six under par, albeit the final day’s weather played a part. Nevertheless, Club de Golf Alcanada is not an easy golf course and anytime you walk off the green with par or better, you should be pleased.
