First Impressions
First Impressions
I remember vividly my first experience of travelling to Madeira way back in 1993 to contest the inaugural Madeira Island Open. It was not an altogether smooth journey as our aircraft hit a little turbulence on the way in to Funchal airport which, as many of you will know had a much smaller runway than it has now!
With the plane safely landed I recall leaving the airport and staring in wonder at the vast volcanic hills and green vegetation. The trip improved from that moment on. I played averagely well passing the half way cut at Santo de Serra but fate intervened on Sunday evening my scheduled date for departure. A strong cross wind had developed at the airport so I was grounded for twenty four hours. How lucky I was! Rather than bemoan my luck I took the opportunity to visit Palheiro Golf Club and have a look at what all the fuss was about. Earlier that week I heard people talking with great enthusiasm about this new venture which had only recently opened. I certainly wasn’t disappointed.
The entire staff was warm and welcoming and couldn’t have done more to help me enjoy my day. A game was set up with a very young Madeira amateur who worked at the club at the time but by coincidence is now also a golf professional and he too played all four rounds of the Open last year. The course is a charming mix of long and short holes winding its way easily through beautiful fauna and flora. Measuring 6086 metres from the Gold tees it is just the right length for all handicap levels to enjoy. Indeed as is still very much the case today good short game skills are far more useful than hitting long distances. The greens are often slightly raised with testing undulations to get the player thinking. Throw in majestic views of the Bay of Funchal on one side and the Desertas Islands on the other and you easily forget your last three putt!
The course itself has changed slightly (for the better) with two new holes being added to enhance the course. This has enabled Palheiro to create an extra practise facility by way of keeping the old third and fourth and creating a six hole academy. This is popular for beginners to learn on in a stress free environment helping to build confidence when they are ready step up to play the main course. Off the course the clubhouse has a magnificent veranda with views to die for overlooking Funchal, the harbour and surrounding hills. Set four hundred and thirty metres above the ocean peace and tranquillity is never far away. The well stocked and attractive Pro Shop staffed by a dedicated sales team is another great addition since 1993.
As I said my good byes and trundled off to the airport I took one last look around and thought how lucky I was to have played such a stunning course. Who would have thought and I certainly didn’t that one day thirteen years later I would find myself still three putting the same greens as the Director of Golf at Palheiro!
Pro’s Tip
For you golfers out there you may find the following helpful when playing on undulating terrain.
Uphill Lies
Take more club as the ball will fly higher. Position your shoulders so they are parallel to the slope. On the back swing think of swinging down the slope and on the forward swing think of swinging up the slope. Give it a try you may be pleasantly surprised!
Happy golfing
Philip Talbot
Director of Golf Palheiro.