The Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A returns to Club de Golf Alcanada for a fourth time this week having successfully hosted the season finale in 2019, 2022 and 2023.
Here, we are shining a spotlight on the golf course and what the 46 players in the field will need to do to tame it…
Managing the elements
At Club de Golf Alcanada, par is your friend. In the three Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Finals held there to date, the winning totals have been six under par, nine under par and ten under par.
In 2019, Francesco Laporta triumphed with a six under total as one of only eight players under par for the week. When the season finale returned to Alcúdia in 2022, Nathan Kimsey reached nine under, and then last year, Marco Penge recorded a ten under total but was one of only five players under par at its conclusion.
Alongside managing your scoring on the following crucial holes, managing the elements, and in particular the wind, will be vital to a players’ chances. In 2023, the wind swirled on the Mallorca coastline, making scoring challenging. For those teeing it up, plotting their way around with a sound gameplan will be of high importance.
Hole 1
Everyone likes a nice start to their round, and that’s just what the professionals get in Alcúdia. The relatively short 501-yard par five has statistically ranked as the second easiest scoring hole each time the season finale has taken place there. In 2023, there were a staggering seven eagles and 68 birdies, with the average score of 4.72 on that hole showing the need to take advantage at the start of your round.
The green is reachable in two after a fairly straightforward tee shot that sees the fairway wind down towards the ravine. From there, players will either go for the green or lay-up, allowing a relatively easy up and down for birdie.
Hole 8
Thee par four eighth, which measures 455 yards, is arguably the hardest hole on the course and saw just nine birdies all week in 2023. The scoring average for this hole 12 months ago was an eye-watering 4.53! There were only 11 birdies in 2022, so escaping with par on this hole will be the goal this week.
Having to play through trees hanging over the fairway on the left side, players face an intimidating uphill tee shot. The tee shot and approach shot must be kept to the right side of the hole as anything left will quickly slope away. The eighth hole has the ability to ruin a scorecard, producing 74 bogeys or worse in 2023.
Hole 9
After tackling the tricky eighth, there’s no respite on the ninth. Statistically the second hardest hole on the golf course last time out, with an average score of 4.35, the par four 443-yard hole is one to be wary of.
Off the tee, a tall tree on the left which overhangs the fairway, and bunkers down the right are the key obstacles. From there, the safe option is to play to the right side of the green.
Hole 13
Statistically the easiest hole in 2022, it’s evident that to achieve success, you need to take advantage of the par fives at Club de Golf Alcanada. At 562 yards, this hole saw 67 birdies and two eagles last year.
For players hoping to go for the green in two, finding the right side of the fairway off the tee is a must. This opens up the green which is protected on both the left and right by bunkers.
Hole 15
This driveable par four allows some additional respite on the back nine. Measuring 357 yards, the 15th green will be in play off the tee for several of the players in the field this week. Failing that, if you can find the fairway, getting up and down for birdie is a must on a hole that played the easiest in 2023 with a 3.44 scoring average.
On this hole, a Green Drive challenge will take place during the week, with €100 donated to a local tree planting and organic farming project, with Mallorca Preservation Foundation, each time a player drives the green.
