It is a real luxury to enjoy a golf course alongside the winner of a major, and even more so with one of the few mortals who has prevailed while feeling the breath on his neck of none-other than Tiger Woods, at the time number one in the world. He beat Woods by two strokes over the last holes of the tournament, in the 2005 US Open. The protagonist: Michael Campbell.
In this article, the New Zealand star gives us some valuable tips to play Alferini, star course at the Costa del Sol resort Villa Padierna, which has two other courses (Flamingos and Tramores) and a magnificent golf academy named after Michael Campbell.
HOLE 1 Par 4 - HCP 10 300m 267m
From the Tee: Narrow exit with water on the right. Best to aim slightly to the left and never use the driver. Approach to Green: green on a small island mostly surrounded by water. It seems to be close to the fairway, so best to choose one more club, make a smooth swing and aim to the right of the green.
HOLE 2 Par 4 - HCP 2 369m 343m
From the Tee: Dogleg left. Wide fairway surrounded by water on the left and trees on the right. In the middle of the fairway is a significant slope that will veer the ball to the left, and leave you a shorter shot to the green. Approach to Green: Shot uphill, always choose one or two clubs more than for the normal distance.
HOLE 3 Par 3 - HCP 4 197m 160m
Approach to Green: Aim at the centre of the green as there is water all along the left. A simple shot as the green is very wide and there is a lot of margin for error.
HOLE 4 Par 5 - HCP 16 460m 409m
From the Tee: Important to aim to the left side of the fairway, as it can be disorientating from the tee and it seems as though the fairway is wider than you think. On the right you have water all the way along the hole to the green. Approach to Green: Wide fairway, from where you can play a simple lay-up as the fairway is very wide for your second and third shots.
HOLE 5 Par - HCP 18 335m 300m
From the Tee: Easiest hole on the course, wide fairway presenting no danger and slightly uphill. Unleash the beast inside you from the tee – this hole allows you to do that. Approach to Green: Second shot uphill, with out-of-bounds to the left and more green on the right, so choosing the centre-right part of the green would be the best option.
HOLE 6 Par 4 - HCP 12 4067m 364m
From the Tee: The hole is downhill with out-of-bounds to the left, and a wide fairway. Aim to the middle of the fairway and you will have no problems – you have a lot of margin for error. Approach to Green: Nice shot with the green low and the possibility of playing a short club. This time you can hit it gently and enjoy the shot.
HOLE 7 Par 5 - HCP 8 460m 410m
From the Tee: Dogleg left with out-of-bounds on the left. Aim at the bunker on the right of the fairway. You will have a narrow and complicated lay-up. Make sure you hit a good swing because you have out-of-bounds on the left and right. Approach to Green: With a very wide green, and playing a short iron, this shot gives you the opportunity of fine-tuning your target area and achieving a good result. Try not to leave it short because you will end up in a bunker.
HOLE 8 Par 3 - HCP 14 160m 128m
Approach to Green: With water in front of the green and a small waterfall behind it, it is important to choose your club well and aim for the right of the green, where you will always have more margin for error.
HOLE 9 Par 4 - HCP 6 370m 326m
From the Tee: Hole uphill with out-of-bounds to the left. Be careful not to land in the fairway bunker on the left side. Aim at the middle of the fairway and hit a gently open shot. Approach to Green: With water in front of the green, this shot becomes quite tense. Play one club more than normal and aim slightly to the left side of the green.
HOLE 10 Par 4 - HCP 17 319m 282m
From the Tee: Wide fairway with out-of-bounds on the left, and a lot of margin for error. Easy hole. Approach to Green: Try to adjust your club because behind the green you can get into trouble. Always best to play short.
HOLE 11 Par 4 - HCP 5 410m 366m
From the Tee: Wide fairway but out-of-bounds to the right and left. If you aim to the middle of the fairway you will have no problem. Approach to Green: You will have a long shot to the longest par-four on the course, so try to make as many metres as possible to get close to the green. Green easy and large.
HOLE 12 Par 5 - HCP 11 503m 459m
From the Tee: Very wide fairway, very long hole. Aim to the left of the fairway as you have trees all along the right side of the hole. Approach to Green: With such a wide hole you will have no problem reaching the green in three. Make sure you dodge the bunkers.
HOLE 13 Par 5 - HCP 13 464m 420m
From the Tee: Narrow-looking exit with out-of-bounds on the left and right. Use as a reference point the path and middle of the fairway, to help you aim your tee shot. Approach to Green: Try to avoid the right side of the hole where there is only a ravine.
HOLE 14 Par 3 - HCP 9 155m 116m
Approach to Green: With water practically surrounding the whole green, this shot becomes a very complicated one, but at the same time very attractive. Choose one more club and make a smooth swing.
HOLE 15 Par 4 - HCP 15 340m 305m
From the Tee: Dogleg slightly right, with out-of-bounds to the left and right. Aim at the olive trees in the background and use the stone wall as a reference. Approach to Green: With a fairly long green and uphill, choose a longer club than normal and aim at the centre of the green.
HOLE 16 Par 5 - HCP 1 470m 410m
From the Tee: Narrow exit and narrow fairway. Play an open shot and you will have more possibilities of hitting the fairway, which slopes slightly towards the ravine on the left. Approach to Green: Best not to take any risks, and play a safe lay-up. If you don't want to end up with a bad result, use irons and not woods to get closer to the green.
HOLE 17 Par 3 - HCP 7 175m 145m
Approach to Green: Difficult tee shot as it is a long hole with out-of-bounds to the right, a long green and a short bunker up front.
HOLE 18 Par 4 - HCP 3 404m 385m
From the Tee: Apart from being the most stunning tee shot on the course, it is also downhill and one of the most difficult. It is best to aim to the left of the fairway and play an open shot. Approach to Green: With a shot that slopes significantly downhill you will have a short iron in your hands. Aim at the centre of the green and avoid the right bunker.
