Manuel Piñero believes the revamped La Quinta Golf and Country Club will provide a stern test for the European Senior Tour players in this week’s Benahavis Senior Masters.
The Spanish Ryder Cup legend, who designed the course in the Benahavis region of Spain, has overseen changes that including a new par three 11th hole since it hosted the inaugural Benahavis Seinor Masters 12 months ago.
Piñero feels the new layout will make the second edition of the event an even better spectacle this week.
“There’s a law in Andalucía to try to protect houses and golf courses and we did have some problems with the houses surrounding here so that was the main reason,” said the 58 year old.
“Especially the second nine on the C course which we play the tournament on. The 11th course, the par three, was too close to the houses so we created a new par three. We’ve also widened the road around the course and I’ve also changed what is now the par five 17th hole.
“I think all of this has improved the course. I’m happy with the changes and I think the course looks better and has a better balance. In the future with the new trees it will be a very exciting second nine.
“The changes will make for a very good tournament this week. Everyone involved with the tournament – the club, the city – is very happy to have the Senior Tour back this week and that’s why I pushed so hard to have the tournament again. I’m positive we can have a tournament every year here.”
Piñero, who had a 100 per cent record in The Ryder Cup singles, is also optimistic that he can also produced another strong performance himself over his home course, having finished tied 11th last year.
“I don’t score so well now – I’m hitting it well but not scoring – because I don’t take the game as serious anymore,” he said. “I don’t practice as much and this game is so difficult that you need to give everything.
“I did well last year though so you never know. If I can have a good first round then I might have a chance to do something nice this week.”
