Penha Longa Golf course update March 8th

Here we are once again expecting 1 to 2 inches of rain over the next 24 hours. I am informed that we have a new greens keeper at Penha Longa. I must say the greens are looking fantastic! We did a little inspection yesterday and even putted on a few of the greens and were quite impressed! The areas around the greens are also looking great and well manicured but unfortunately not the same can be said for other parts of the course. There seems to be the ongoing problem of grass not growing as well as it should over the new drainage installed around the course. The color of the grass is different and you can clearly see the lines where they have been installed. Considering they were put in over 6 months ago and we have had so much rain since, you'd think it would have matted well by now! We also inspected fairways 6 and 8, where most of the problems seem to be and you cant walk across the fairways without sinking a few inches. There were also tire tracks around 12 inches deep that have just been left there. You'd think they would fix them by hand before it dries and causes more damage. Holes 6,7 and 8 of the Atlantic are still closed with 6, 7 and 8 of the Monastery replacing them, free buggy's are on offer. Good news is,looks like sun is on the way and that should definitely help, lets see what this week brings, bye for now.

Penha Longa Golf course update, March 6th

With the Portuguese Open less than a month away, some of the members have been questioning whether the course will be in good enough condition to host the event??? It has been in terrible condition for 3 months. After a year and a half of renovations (supposedly costing around 2 million euros) the course is probably in the worst shape ever! The lack of sand on the course is one of the major reasons. Although there has been more rain in the last 3 months than we can remember, it seems all the other courses we have played in the area are in excellent condition. The promise of sand and hollow tining never came to fruition and now the course is losing money hand over fist because of it. It is so wet that on some of the fairways it is impossible for the tractors to get out to cut the grass, never mind hollow tining! The new drainage installed during the renovations obviously are doing next to nothing! The condition of the course, as well as the loss of green fees over the last 6 months hasn't been good all 'round. If Penha Longa does host the event it will be more likely due to good weather and not the large amount spent on renovations. Follow my blog for a weekly update on the condition of the course.