In a new feature for 2019, the European Challenge Tour will speak to the Director of Golf or club professional at every club we visit during the season to get the keys to the course from the person who knows it best.
Next up, is Jon Ander Sánchez, Director of Izki Golf Club, home to the 2019 Challenge de España.
With bright sunshine and warm temperatures, the conditions are set for good scores in Urturi. However, Sánchez believes there is one hole which could pose the Challenge Tour players several questions this week.
“The 13th hole is the most difficult,” he said. “There are two platforms before the green and you can play with two strategies; nine iron and then nine iron, or you can take a wood and aim for the second platform and then play a wedge into the green.
“The green is very, very little, so I would expect more bogeys than birdies there this week.”
The 2018 Challenge de España was won by Oscar Lengden with a total score of 273, 15 under par, and Sánchez thinks patience will be needed over the first nine holes at Izki if you are to succeed.
“The first nine are the most difficult,” he explained. “You can’t see the fairway from the fifth tee and the sixth hole is a long par three downhill, so it’s difficult to calculate the distance for the correct club, especially if there is a bit of wind as the tee is amongst the trees.
“Then the ninth hole is a long par three and if the wind picks up it could be a very difficult hole. But on the back nine there are chances to make a few birdies.”
