He had a hole-in-one and an eagle in the final round to win the Klagenfurt Golf Open last year… Martin Wiegele gives us the lowdown on how to conquer Klagenfurt-Seltenheim Golf Club.
“The first hole is a rather easy par four, a simple starting hole. You’ve got to be short of the water hazard on the right, so it’s a two iron or three wood off the tee and then a wedge into the green.
“The second is a very long par five, almost impossible to reach in two. Actually it is impossible to reach unless there’s a strong downwind, and from 200 metres back from the green there’s water all down the left. So you have a very small chance to make a three, and it’s difficult to make four, so par is a good score.
“Hole three has water on the left and a dog-leg left so you have to draw the ball to the green with a medium iron for your second shot.
“Then the fourth hole is a long par three and depending on which tee you play from it’s either a very long iron, like a two or three iron, or if it’s from the front tee it’ll be maybe a five iron. The green is very undulating so you’re doing very well if you make four pars there over the four rounds.
“The fifth is almost a driveable par four so you can hit driver to the green or a two iron and a wedge into the green. It’s a very good chance for a three there.
“The next one is one of the toughest holes on the course. It’s a long par four with dog-leg left and water down the left side all the way to the green, so you’ve got to be right of the water but also take care not to be in the rough on the right-hand side as last year it was very thick. It’s a very difficult tee shot. And even if you hit the fairway you still have a medium iron into the green, and also there’s a huge slope in the middle of the green.
“Then comes a par five with water on the right just before the green so that comes into play with the second shot. It’s either a three wood or long iron, a real risk and reward hole. If you make it onto the green in two it’s a very good chance for birdie at least, but you have to be careful of the water and there’s also a bunker in front of the green.
“The eighth is probably my favourite hole in the world. I had a hole in one there in the final round two years running. When I played it to the short pin it was a little eight iron, and twice it went into the hole. If it’s a back pin it could be, depending on the wind, a seven iron. It’s a very undulating green so it’s better to put the ball straight into the hole off the tee so you don’t have to putt! It’s a very big green so you possibly will have a long putt with lots of slopes.
“The ninth is a medium to long par four around the lake so it’s a dog-leg left. You either hit driver or three wood, leaving you a wedge or short iron into the green. With your second shot the water comes into play.
“The tenth is a straight par four, one of the easier holes. It’s driver-wedge, but a tricky green. The 11th is another long par three, a very good hole. Again, if you make four pars you’re doing fine.
“Twelve is a tough par four with thick rough on the left all the way to the green. Last year it was a very narrow tee shot with rough right and left. If you hit the fairway it’s not too difficult because it’s a generous green with not many slopes. The tee shot is the most important thing on that hole.
“Then comes a short-ish par four so it’s either a driver or three wood into the green, but there’s a huge slope in front of the green that you have to take into account. There’s a ridge on the green so you have to be on the right level to have a decent chance.
“Then comes a very birdieable par five with a dog-leg right. There’s water on the right side so you cut the water off a bit with the drive, but you can’t cut it out too much so you have to get the perfect line. It’s a little bit over the trees and you can’t really see the water, but it’s a good hole and if you hit the fairway you have the possibility of reaching the green in two and having a good chance for birdie.
“Then comes a medium par three, the 15th. It’s a seven iron into a pretty generous green so it’s a good opportunity to pick up a shot.
“The 16th is a very good hole, a driveable par four. You can choose between hitting an iron off the tee and having a wedge into the green, or going for it with the driver. On the final day last year I went for it with the driver and made an eagle which was very helpful in me winning the tournament in the end. It’s a great risk and reward hole.
“The par five 17th depends on which tee box you play from. Off the back tee it’s very difficult to reach the green in two, even with a good drive and a three wood. So I would lay up on this one if we played from the back. If it’s the front tee you have a good chance to go for it in two, but there’s a huge lake left and short of the green so it comes into play.
“The 18th is a very nice finishing hole with good views of the scenery and the clubhouse. You play round the lake so it’s a slight dog-leg right and rough on the left. It’s not an easy tee shot, especially if you are in contention. Normally under pressure tee shots tend to go to the right and that wouldn’t be a good thing considering the water hazard there. If you hit the fairway it’s a short club into the green, but it’s still over water and the pin placement is usually tucked next to the water, so it’s a tough second shot.”
