Madeira Islands Open

Following a number of early season events in the southern hemisphere the European Tour hits home soil this week for the Madeira Islands Open. The European Tour has already visited a number of spectacular destinations this season but nothing with a landscape quite so imposing as that of Porto Santo Golf Club. This challenging Seve Ballesteros design sits perched on the cliff tops that define Madeira’s magnificent coastline and gives stunning views out over the Atlantic Ocean, especially on holes 13 and 14 which run along the cliff edge. A wayward shot on these holes will be punished by a 500ft drop to a watery grave!!!

Whilst not overly long by European Tour standards at just under 7000 yards, the par 71 layout at Porto Santo has other defences that make it extremely challenging. A combination of small, firm greens and the ever present winds that blow in from the ocean will provide a stern test of shot making and short game skills. Any player hitting more than 50% of greens in regulation across the week will surely be in contention come Sunday.

Click here to view to slide show.

Whilst a number of the more established European Tour players take a break on the back of two WGC events in the last three weeks, the field at the Madeira Islands Open still boasts plenty of talent. Englishman Paul Waring, Argentine Estanislao “Tano” Goya, Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey (who at the time of writing holds the lead at -7) and South African Branden Grace are just four of the Titleist Ambassadors that will be looking to contend this week.

The aforementioned Branden Grace is new to the Titleist ranks for 2009 and, having secured his card at qualifying school in late 2008, has had a number of good finishes back in his native South Africa including a hugely creditable tie for 6th at South African Open. New equipment has been coming thick and fast for Branden in recent weeks with the latest additions to his bag being two new Tour Chrome Spin Milled Wedges. Branden was also particularly excited to receive a batch of Titleist caps this week each with “Gracie” personalisation. It’s always a nice touch for our Titleist Ambassadors to have their own unique moniker on their headwear and Branden’s certainly wearing his with pride.

You can take a look at Branden’s bag and headwear in the slide show and here is full run down of his equipment specifications:

Driver
Model: 909D3
Loft: 8.5
Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Javln M6 X-Flex,
Length: 45”

Fairway
Model: 909F2
Loft: 13.5
Shaft: Fujikura Rombax 7Z08 X-Flex
Length: 43”

Hybrid
Model: 909H
Loft: 19
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 904HB X-Flex
Length: 40.5”

Irons
Model: AP2
Composition: 3-PW
Shaft: Project X 6.5
Length: Standard (#6 @ 37.5”)
Lie: Standard (#6 @ 62.5)

Wedges
Model: Tour Chrome Spin Milled
Lofts: 54.11 & 60.04
Shaft: Project X 6.0
Length: Std
Lie: Std

Other Titleist Ambassadors in the field this week include Scotsman Callum Macaulay and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger, both of whom have been testing new 909 metals this week. Macaulay has been testing the three 909 driver options and has subsequently settled for the 909 DComp which was producing more distance by offering Callum a slightly higher launch and the increase in spin that he required. The new driver has gone straight into play for this week’s event; his specifications are as follows:

Model: 909 DComp
Loft: 9.5
Shaft: Grafalloy ProLaunch Red Stiff (Tipped 1.5”)
Length: 45”

Wiesberger on the other hand recently received a new 909F2 and is continuing to test the club during practice. Below is the full specification for his fairway metal.

Model: 909F2
Loft: 15.5
Shaft: Diamana White Board 83 X-Flex

Next week sees the European Tour hit mainland Europe for the first time this season at the Open de Andalucia in Seville. It will also be the first event of the season for the Titleist Tour Support Vehicle which will be sporting an all new livery (see previous blog entry). With the TTSV out at the event the Titleist team already have a number of fittings booked with Titleist players and are sure to be building plenty of product. As always the Tour Blog is the place to be for “inside the ropes” updates from Seville.

Add comment March 20th, 2009