Olympic golf course has challenges, but in calm conditions scores will go low
RIO DE JANEIRO — The Olympic Golf Course seamlessly weaves its way through the Marapendi Natural Reserve inhabited by a variety of wildlife that can stop golfers cold in their tracks.
Wind, as well, will make the players think twice before moving forward.
Built mostly on a former sand quarry, the course stretching to 7,128 yards through native grass and sand is home to large rodents named capybara, small crocodiles named caiman and burrowing owls named coruja. But while water hazards come into play on just four holes, harsh winds that could blow off the nearby Atlantic Ocean would make the links-style course designed and built by Gil Hanse and his team a beast despite few trees coming into play and not a single blade of rough to be found.
“I was out there playing on Sunday, and had to basically stop playing because the wind was blowing so hard,” Rickie Fowler said. “If winds pick up, shooting even par around the course will be nice.”
But if the wind doesn’t pick up, the course softened by rain on Wednesday will be there for the taking when the first round begins Thursday.
“It looked pretty inviting today,” Bubba Watson said as he played the course for the first time on Tuesday when the wind was down. “ … The condition of the course was amazing. So there's nothing we could ask that they haven't already done. The golf course is perfect. Doesn't mean we're going to play well. Just means we love what we see going into it.”
What the 60 men and the 60 women playing this week and next will see is a variety of holes with each having a distinct feel and look and each demanding creativity form the players. There is one par-5 exceeding 600 yards and four par-4s under 412 yards. The five par-3s range from 133 yards to 229 yards.
The fairways feature large humps and hallows that could propel tee shots into native areas that are not inviting. The green complexes feature plenty of bumps and swales that will make players think twice with their approach shots and first putts. There are 79 deep bunkers featuring large lips to tangle with. And since Hanse was not allowed to import or remove sand, there are three different types of sand in the bunkers, forcing players to get used to each.
“There are a lot of fun characteristics on the course. There's a lot of different green complexes and a good variety of holes,” Fowler said. “It’s a really fun course to play.”
One of the main features of the course in the three-hole finish that Hanse said sets up a risk-reward scenario. The 16th is a drivable par-4 of 303 yards. The 17th is but 133 yards, the shortest hole on the course. The par-5 18th can be reached into two with the right conditions.
“If you play them well, you can definitely birdie all three or maybe make an eagle and two birdies,” Sergio Garcia said. “But even though they are not long holes, you still have to hit the ball in the right place. On 16, to get onto the green is not easy. Very narrow. A couple mounds there on the sides. On 18 it depends on the wind. Today I hit a good drive and was struggling to get there with a 3-wood. A very trick green, too.
“ … The course is great. There are probably maybe one or two greens that are questionable. But it’s a great look, very Australian like. It’s in good shape. I think it’ll play nicely.”
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