Santo da Serra welcomes Madeira Islands Open
The upcoming European Tour event, Madeira Islands Open – Portugal, is going to be staged at the Santo da Serra in Madeira once again.
The tournament was first played in 1993, and has been entertaining fans and players. In the last two consecutive years, the event was played in the month of the May. However, in the past it had also been played in months other than May.
In 2011, the prestigious tournament was played at the Porto Santo Golfe. Northern Irish Michael Hoey is the proud winner of the title. He scored a 10-under 278, defeating two runners-up players by a two strokes.
The mega event will be played from May 10 to May 13, 2012. Last time, this tournament was staged at the Madeira in 2008 and for three years it was played at other venues.
Alastair Forsyth won the title of the European Tour event in 2008, as he scored a 15-under 273. His scores were matched by Hennie Otto, however Forsyth won the title in a playoff mode after making an early birdie.
After the most successful and appealing game in 2008, this tournament is returning to the Santo da Serra again. This course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Snr in 1991.
Jones designed the course in a modern way and the tour officials planned to give a chance to the course, to host the tournament. From 1997 to 2008 , the tournament was played at the same venue.
The most appealing and toughest hole of the course is fourth one. It is located at the mountainous site of the course, with a see shore in the front and narrow green land in the back. Most of the players and experts declared the hole as one of the toughest
and most thrilling.
“A par feels like a birdie, because it is a hole where you can easily rack up a double bogey or worse,” Niclas Fasth, the champion in 2000, said.
On the other hand, the par five third hole cannot be neglected as well, as players have to drive along the ravine to save the ball from the hurdles. And the second shot needs focused attention, as there are sandy bunkers near the hole.
The upcoming tournament will be the most thrilling one. The competition is tough and all the players will have to do their best, if they want to secure the lead.
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