Special Places - Doral Golf Resort

The windy South Florida weather and ‘The Bear Trap’ claimed a bevy of big name victims last week at PGA National and the circus moves up the road to one of the most evocative names in the world of golf. TPC Blue Monster at Doral Golf Resort and Spa is host this week to the second of the season’s four World Golf Championships events, sanctioned by the operational committee of the International Federation of PGA Tours, which includes the Asian Tour, European Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia and Sunshine Tour. The approx 75-strong field for the WGC-Cadillac Championship will include the top 50 ranked players in the world together with at least two representatives from each tour, and the event is played over four rounds with no cut.

The Doral Resort in Miami is home to five golf courses of which The Blue Monster is the most famous. The 6600m par 72 Dick Wilson designed layout opened for play in 1962 and was given a makeover by golf guru Jim McLean in 2000. Par at this historic course is defended in a variety of ways. Strategically placed fairway bunkers are in abundance and sand traps guard every green except the difficult par 4 3rd. Many greens have severe undulations and are often tilted as well. Also, a unique assortment of water hazards and a seasonal winter wind from the southeast are both guaranteed to add to the test posed to the players.

The first two holes – a reachable par 5 and a short par 4 – will give up many birdie chances. The 400m par 4 3rd presents an intimidating tee shot with a lake right and a treacherous fairway bunker and deep Bermuda rough to the left. Next comes the pivotal 210m par 3 4th with two deep greenside bunkers for misses on the left and a watery grave waiting for any shots pushed to the right. Play continues with the golfers having to cope with towering palm trees, wicked crosswinds, sloping greens and tucked-away pin positions. The round ends with the 430m par 4 18th framed by the lake with the signature fountain, ranked in the past as the most difficult finishing hole on the PGA Tour. Defending champion Ernie Els will be looking to tame the Blue Monster again and become the first two-time winner since the event moved to Doral in 2007.