By Will Medlock
at Valderrama
at Valderrama
When walking into Real Club Valderrama, it's difficult to miss the reminders that this is no ordinary golf course. Located in Sotogrande, deep in Andalucía and just 5km from the coast, the prestigious course has played host to 20 international tournaments, including the 1997 Ryder Cup and two World Golf Championships, in its 42 year history.
Opened in 1974 and designed by renowned course architect Robert Trent Jones Snr, the golf club was originally known as Las Aves, which translates as The Birds. However, Jaime Ortiz Patiño founded the modern day course known as Valderrama in 1985. The course, which measures 6991 yards and plays to a par of 71, can lay claim to having had the legendary Henry Cotton as its first club professional.
Valderrama was also officially recognised in 1997 for its efforts to provide a safe environment for wildlife on its picturesque land. This makes the course, cited by this week’s tournament host Sergio Garcia as his favourite, as attractive for its scenic views as its prestigious layout.
This week Valderrama hosts the Open de España for the first time in the tournament’s 104 year history. However, first-time nerves will not be something that course veteran Søren Kjeldsen will have to contend with when he approaches the opening hole.
The Dane has an excellent record at Valderrama, winning the 2008 Volvo Masters and finishing tied second the year before, as well as claiming a share of second place at the 2010 Andalucía Masters. Kjeldsen arrives in Sotogrande this week on the back of a superb week at the Masters tournament, where he finished in a tie for seventh.
There’s no danger, though, of Kjeldsen letting his success in Augusta influence his outlook.
“For confidence it’s a little bit different, but from an expectation point of view I think the key last week was that I didn’t have any expectations,” the 40 year old said.
“What I talked about last week was how free I felt, because of lack of expectations. There’s an urge to expect things, but I’m trying to fight that and continue to love my golf.”
Overview
"I am really looking forward to the tournament. I played with Sergio recently and he was talking about it and he said it is great to play the Spanish Open at Valderrama.
“You could say for me it is a dream come true that we are going back as I love the place and the golf you have to play round there. You need to keep it straight as it gets really windy and it is just a lot of fun to play.
“It is quite unusual in the way it sets up through the trees. You get over-hanging trees even though you are on the fairway which is really unique."
Grass
“The quality of grass is something you don’t really see anywhere else.
“The quality of grass is something you don’t really see anywhere else.
“Even at Augusta the grass isn’t as good as it is at Valderrama. You get those fringes that are so tight. They are tighter than a normal green and so the way the course sits and the landscape is a thing of beauty.”
Memories
“My first memory from my victory is hitting probably the best shot I have ever played when I hit a five iron in the last round on the 12th hole.
“My first memory from my victory is hitting probably the best shot I have ever played when I hit a five iron in the last round on the 12th hole.
“I remember that shot and having my family, kids, brother and sister there. You couldn’t pick a better script. It’s the season-ending tournament, my family are there, I have got my eldest son running in after I win and it was like a fairy tale. It was amazing.”
Key holes
7th hole – El Mirador
“The seventh hole is a really tough hole. It’s a long par four and generally you get a lot of crosswind on that hole. The green is also very small and very undulated. I remember going in with very long irons into that green. I would say that’s probably the toughest hole on the course.
“The seventh hole is a really tough hole. It’s a long par four and generally you get a lot of crosswind on that hole. The green is also very small and very undulated. I remember going in with very long irons into that green. I would say that’s probably the toughest hole on the course.
15th hole – El Puerto
“Next you have the 15th, which is a challenging, long par three with a slopey green. When the pin is at the back it’s probably a rescue or even a three iron into it. Again, a really challenging hole.
“Next you have the 15th, which is a challenging, long par three with a slopey green. When the pin is at the back it’s probably a rescue or even a three iron into it. Again, a really challenging hole.
18th hole – Casa Club
“Then there’s the 18th, which is a great hole, because it’s a massive dog-leg, you can hit the driver, but you have to get the line absolutely spot on. If you don’t you probably aren’t going to be trying to get onto the green with your second shot.
“Then there’s the 18th, which is a great hole, because it’s a massive dog-leg, you can hit the driver, but you have to get the line absolutely spot on. If you don’t you probably aren’t going to be trying to get onto the green with your second shot.
“I generally hit a three-wood off the tee there and leave myself a bit of a longer shot, probably a five or a six-iron. But you’ve got a relatively big landing area when you hit the three-wood.
Favourite hole
“The 18th is probably my favourite hole on the course. I like that you can play really aggressively or you can hit a three-wood and have a long second shot. But if you do hit a good drive then you could get down to a wedge or a nine-iron for your next shot. That’s what you want in a finishing hole, somewhere you can pick up shots.”
“The 18th is probably my favourite hole on the course. I like that you can play really aggressively or you can hit a three-wood and have a long second shot. But if you do hit a good drive then you could get down to a wedge or a nine-iron for your next shot. That’s what you want in a finishing hole, somewhere you can pick up shots.”
