MASTERPIECE OR MASOCHIST?
Seems like most people only needed an "M" to express their feeling about EL ENCIN. The most common description: Masterpiece or Masochist - we aren't sure which is winning. We’ve definitely heard both of these opinions about EL ENCIN over the past two days. The reality is likely somewhere between these two extremes. We’re happy. The golf course is evoking emotion, which is infinitely better than producing yawns and indifference.
Day two of the MADRID MASTERS and it’s been an interesting couple of days… The computer and phone are both smoking from over activity. It seems there were people who thought EL ENCIN might be unplayable, due to sever putting surfaces. In fact, the answer is quite easy – maintain the putting surfaces at rational green speeds. We get to make some dramatic putting surfaces. The spectators get to see something different – rather than big, flat boring putting greens stimping at 14, with imperceptible breaks.
Even watching on the event television, you can see the contour of the golf course, and the player’s thinking - struggling. You can actually see them – and hear them – strategizing. It is compelling.
Golf Course defining moment -From yesterday’s broadcast:
Peter Hanson - speaking to his caddie about his approach to #14; “I’ll hit it straight to the pin and see where it finishes”. After he hit the shot, we hear him saying, “Somehow be good!” I’m not sure exactly why but, like so many other players, his ball found “El Caldero del Diablo” (the Devil’s Caldron) – a devilish bowl in the front-middle of the 14th green, which seems to be collecting an inordinate number of victims!!
It was a GREAT moment. The commentators found the humor in it, but I hope the implication of this episode wasn’t lost. Peter Hanson had not hit the best drive on #14. He was not in a good position to attack the flag. The safe play was to the left. But, after surveying the predicament, he decided to attack the flag, embrace the challenge and accept the consequences. It was a defining moment. It
Also, from yesterday, I must admit taking a small measure of enjoyment in “DALY’S DEBACLE” on the 18th. I certainly don’t wish John Daly any ill-will, as I am a kindred spirit. I have been where he was, when he carded a 9 on the 18th hole after dumping two shots in the lake. I hate to see him miss the weekend.
PLAYER COMMENTS FROM DAY ONE
ROSS McGOWAN
64 (-8)
“I got a good start on the first tee and just kept trying to hit good golf shots, finding the right spots on the greens and holing the putts. The greens are very tricky, I did a lot of homework on them yesterday. They are kind of US Open style. You have to make sure you get on the right side of the hole, and for the most part, I did. The conditions are perfect: 30 degrees with no wind, the ball’s flying nicely… perfect really.
It’s been a pretty tough year with a couple of injuries but its been improving week to week, and now things seem to have come together.
I’ve been working real hard all year for a day like today.”
BRETT RUMFORD
65 (-7)
“It was good, a nice start to the first round; I played steady golf. Great conditions, no wind, fairly wide fairways, there’s a lot of bunkers out there but there’s a lot of spots where you can miss it as well. Pin placements were not easy, but I’m sure they will get tougher as the week progresses.
It’s a shortish course, the par threes are long. The greens are tricky. You must be on the right side of the pin. If you’re not on, you can have problems.
I guess it’s the modern golf course design, they have to make them challenging and difficult, and with the control that we have on the golf ball these days, big flat greens won’t do the job.”
GONZALO FERNÁNDEZ-CASTAÑO
65 (-7)
“It’s been a great day of golf. Disappointing to finish with three putts on 18, but I did compensate with some good ones along the round.
As organizer of the event I have many things to take care of, and it’s not easy to concentrate. In these circumstances, 7 under is a great satisfaction, particularly after 6 months away from competition.
It’s tough to pull off a tournament these days, that’s why I really appreciate the players’ support of this event. I has made me realize that I have great friends and I thank them for it.”
EDOARDO MOLINARI
66 (-6)
(Started at 10th)
“The start was not great, I didn’t hit the ball well but all changed after 17th. I missed a few putts, but I’m very happy with 6 under. It was a good, solid, round. The surfaces of the greens are great, although the slopes are a bit too severe; it would be nice to have a few more pin positions.
If they change that, it would be a great course.”
TANO GOYA
67 (-5)
“I had a good day; I played well from tee to green. I putted well on the first nine, but made a few mistakes after that. All in all, I played solid. I’m going to spend the afternoon on the putting green.”
STEVE WEBSTER
67 (-5)
“On Tuesday I had my picture taken with Seve’s sculpture; yesterday I chatted with his son Javier and we now communicate through Facebook. I actually have the feeling that Seve is helping me. I’m using the long putter since last week and it’s giving me a lot of confidence.
After 15 years of a very frustrating game, I decided to go for the long putter, and it seems to work. I didn’t think the scores would be so good this week, but the course is in great condition and the greens are really good.”
EDUARDO DE LA RIVA
67 (-5)
“I played well and gave me birdie chances. My attitude has changed and I am enjoying playing golf again. I did well in the tournaments I played, but the main thing is that I feel motivated again and I look forward to playing.”
ÁLVARO QUIRÓS
67 (-5)
“Five under is not bad for a start. I holed a long putt on the last to finish with a birdie. I made 4 big mistakes, mainly because I played defensively. When I saw danger to the right, I missed to the left which is frustrating, but quite normal after a few weeks away from competition.
I’m not surprised at the low scores. The course is not playing long, the greens are undulated, but good and the pins were not tight. It can play much tougher, particularly if we get some wind. The pin locations are key.
LUKE DONALD
68 (-4)
“It’s been a solid day. I played well and gave myself opportunities, although some went away – It could have been a really good round. The course is in good condition, and the greens are its defence. It can give you chances, and the par fives are reachable”
Final Thought about day one - hole #12 - a par 3 was the most difficult hole on the first day. They played it from the furthest back tee. The green was the first one we built and really is innocuous, except it plays like an elevated plateau. Perhaps it was the most difficult because it's the oldest green on the course!
So, what about day two - The players had a different day today. There was a little wind and some different tee locations. The players had short irons in their hands most of the day. I think there is so much attention on the 'macro' movement of the greens, it has taken the focus off the 'micro' movement. You can see the players worry over short putts. Today, we saw them surprised by the breaks or lack there of, on short putts. The scores are definitely higher.
SOME PLAYER COMMENTS FROM DAY TWO
Lee Slattery told the official European Tour website: "I've putted well today, and I seemed to hole everything. "I drove the ball well too. You can give it a good smack off the tee and you feel yourself trying to hit it harder and harder. I was actually getting too cautious with my game but round here you can't be, you just whack it. This suits me because I just enjoy it and don't think too much -- that's the key. "I've been so relaxed out there, I don't think I've ever walked off the course feeling so relaxed after shooting a 66."
And, this excerpt relating Paul McGinley's feelings about EL ENCIN, where his first shot is aggressive but follows up with a softer touch: McGinley is also not a fan of the Robert Van Hagge, Smelek and Baril designed greens. "It is certainly not a golf course I would design as the slopes on the greens are too severe," said McGinley.
"Having said that, the slopes are very similar to St Andrews and Augusta National -- and they're considered masterpieces. So, who is right and who is wrong?"
"But I enjoyed the challenge today and my game is pretty good, so a 72 is about as bad a score as I could have shot," he added. "However, if you are on the wrong side of the pins, as I was a few times, you are in trouble."
I think this is exactly what I said yesterday - if the course were 100 years old it would be considered eccentric or charming......
And the hits just keep on coming!.......
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