Nordea Masters - Tobo Golfklubb Championship Tees
May 13, 2015 11:05:27 GMT -5
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Post by mcbogga on May 13, 2015 11:05:27 GMT -5
European Tour newsflash:
With the surprise announcement that Tobo Golfklubb gets to host the 2015 Nordea Masters - we catch up with the designer/Euro Tour Player Robert Karlsson.
Tobo gets the Nordea. Not many would have thought this small countryside course would even be in the running?
We are delighted of course. Have been in talks with the tour for some time so its not a complete surprise. With the significant modifications to the course and our possibilities to host the huge crowds expected I think we will be able to pull it off. Of course Tobo is not the most refined golf course in the world, but I think we have manged to create an interesting puzzle for the tour.
Scorecard reads under 6300 yds? Hardly tour lenght?
That's the yellow tees. We have built new championship tees on many holes that stretches the course to anywhere from 6600-6900yds depending on set-up. Also hole 8 on the front will play as a par 4 and on the back 13 and 18 will alternate as par 4s to bring the course to par 70. We've also worked a lot with the greens to get them tour ready. They are now running quite fast to challenge the tour players. There are still plenty of birdie and even eagle opportunities out there, but with poor execution double or worse is a possibility as well. Since the course plays very short by today's tour standards we have opted to set it up to challenge the players' short game. For the long game there are holes of every length to try to make the players hit many different clubs and shots.
What's the secret to going low on Tobo?
I would say course management is a key part. Every hole can play as a "red light" or "green light" depending on tee and pin placements. Judging when to aim for the pin and when to hold back for a straightish uphill putt will be key. There are places around most greens where you really do not want to try a recovery from and there are some downhill sliders you will not want to have to navigate as well. Otherwise a world class level, complete, short game will be necessary. The spinny flop shots that are so popular on tour are not a good idea for some of the pins we have set unless you want the ball back at your feet . Anything above the hole will be testing.
Any predictions for winning score?
Very hard to say. I think there will be a large score variation out there. With a hot round leaving makeable putts scores in the 50s is a real possibility, but there are plenty of bogeys and doubles lurking as well. I think someone might get to -40.
Any signature holes?
On the front nine, 8th is brutal as a par four. Take your par and run. On the back nine the tee-shot on 16 and 17 comes to mind. If it's close on Sunday afternoon the last six should also provide some drama. With the possibility to eagle both 12 and 13 and then 14 being a short par 3 with a tricky pin placement there could be a huge swing over that stretch of holes. Over the four rounds we use every quadrant of every green, so the holes play quite differently and each day may have different signature holes. 13 as a par 4 on the Thursday and Saturday will make an impression as well I think.
Having seen the layout and pin set ups, there seems to be a good chance of some controversy over some of these pins?
Sure. Can't please everyone. The course is set for tour play and to challenge the level of players that we have on the European tour. Good positioning and an excellent short game is key. Without practice rounds it's though not to get into some difficult spots.
You will certainly play in the tournament at your home course. What chances do you give yourself?
I know the course, that's for sure. But right now my putting and approach dispersion is not quite where it needs to be to go low over four rounds, so I'll give myself maybe an outside chance to contend. Suspect someone will shoot scores I didn't think were even possible though....
Thanks Robert and good luck hosting the Tournament.
Some stats and pictures of the course below:
DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4
Pin Sheet
New tee on hole 2 - choice of club is key to hit the cross fairway and set up a birdie
Going for the pin on 3d - brave or foolish? Maybe in round two playing from the members tee?
5th - now 620yds uphill...
Followed by the 485yds par 4 6th with the approach over water.
Let us know what you think in the comments!
With the surprise announcement that Tobo Golfklubb gets to host the 2015 Nordea Masters - we catch up with the designer/Euro Tour Player Robert Karlsson.
Tobo gets the Nordea. Not many would have thought this small countryside course would even be in the running?
We are delighted of course. Have been in talks with the tour for some time so its not a complete surprise. With the significant modifications to the course and our possibilities to host the huge crowds expected I think we will be able to pull it off. Of course Tobo is not the most refined golf course in the world, but I think we have manged to create an interesting puzzle for the tour.
Scorecard reads under 6300 yds? Hardly tour lenght?
That's the yellow tees. We have built new championship tees on many holes that stretches the course to anywhere from 6600-6900yds depending on set-up. Also hole 8 on the front will play as a par 4 and on the back 13 and 18 will alternate as par 4s to bring the course to par 70. We've also worked a lot with the greens to get them tour ready. They are now running quite fast to challenge the tour players. There are still plenty of birdie and even eagle opportunities out there, but with poor execution double or worse is a possibility as well. Since the course plays very short by today's tour standards we have opted to set it up to challenge the players' short game. For the long game there are holes of every length to try to make the players hit many different clubs and shots.
What's the secret to going low on Tobo?
I would say course management is a key part. Every hole can play as a "red light" or "green light" depending on tee and pin placements. Judging when to aim for the pin and when to hold back for a straightish uphill putt will be key. There are places around most greens where you really do not want to try a recovery from and there are some downhill sliders you will not want to have to navigate as well. Otherwise a world class level, complete, short game will be necessary. The spinny flop shots that are so popular on tour are not a good idea for some of the pins we have set unless you want the ball back at your feet . Anything above the hole will be testing.
Any predictions for winning score?
Very hard to say. I think there will be a large score variation out there. With a hot round leaving makeable putts scores in the 50s is a real possibility, but there are plenty of bogeys and doubles lurking as well. I think someone might get to -40.
Any signature holes?
On the front nine, 8th is brutal as a par four. Take your par and run. On the back nine the tee-shot on 16 and 17 comes to mind. If it's close on Sunday afternoon the last six should also provide some drama. With the possibility to eagle both 12 and 13 and then 14 being a short par 3 with a tricky pin placement there could be a huge swing over that stretch of holes. Over the four rounds we use every quadrant of every green, so the holes play quite differently and each day may have different signature holes. 13 as a par 4 on the Thursday and Saturday will make an impression as well I think.
Having seen the layout and pin set ups, there seems to be a good chance of some controversy over some of these pins?
Sure. Can't please everyone. The course is set for tour play and to challenge the level of players that we have on the European tour. Good positioning and an excellent short game is key. Without practice rounds it's though not to get into some difficult spots.
You will certainly play in the tournament at your home course. What chances do you give yourself?
I know the course, that's for sure. But right now my putting and approach dispersion is not quite where it needs to be to go low over four rounds, so I'll give myself maybe an outside chance to contend. Suspect someone will shoot scores I didn't think were even possible though....
Thanks Robert and good luck hosting the Tournament.
Some stats and pictures of the course below:
DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4
Pin Sheet
New tee on hole 2 - choice of club is key to hit the cross fairway and set up a birdie
Going for the pin on 3d - brave or foolish? Maybe in round two playing from the members tee?
5th - now 620yds uphill...
Followed by the 485yds par 4 6th with the approach over water.
Let us know what you think in the comments!