Reserve Agora
The opening hole is a sweeping dog leg right played from an elevated tee; the more aggressive player has the opportunity to aim over the right hand corner of the dog-leg and with a well struck drive shorten the hole considerably leaving a relatively short iron approach.
The shrewd option is to take aim on the fairway bunkers at the left hand corner of the dog leg playing a fairway wood for position.
All tee shots should favor the left hand side of the fairway as the carry over the lake plays longer than at first appears.
A lone fairway bunker on the left acts as a good visual from the tee and is the ideal line for the majority of players.
Strategically placed fairway cross bunkers require good course management and club selection for your second.
The third hole drops dramatically downwards from tee to fairway, bunkering on the left and right hand side of the hole places a premium on accuracy with the drive.
Playing towards the left hand bunker is the best line allowing the natural contours of the hole to throw your ball back towards the fairway and an ideal position to play your second from.
The Fourth hole snakes uphill between a series of sculptured fairway bunkers; a solitary bunker guards the front edge of the green gathering all mis-hit approach shots.
A downhill Par 3 with a large contoured green guarded by bunkers short and long. Play for the front right taking one club less for the change in elevation.
The tee shot at the Par 5 sixth should be aimed well to the right avoiding the three bunkers framing the left hand side of the hole and leaving a long uphill second.
Make sure to lay up well short of the massive green side approach bunker, far enough back to allow a full third into this shallow green.
Although this green is the largest at 600sqm, it is one of the most demanding to hit, run offs on either side of the hole will gather and whisk the ball down and away from the green leaving a tricky recovery.
A drive favoring the left side will roll forward, making the green reachable in two for the stronger player. Be aware of the large greenside bunker protecting the slightly elevated green.
Accurate club selection is vital to negotiate this short Par 3 successfully with the renowned Monte Rei bunkers forming a circle of defiance around the green.
The tenth hole moves from left to right and then slightly upwards towards a long narrow green. The tee shot should be played towards the solitary bunker on the left side of
the dog leg. Any shots leaking to the right will fall away into the ravine running along the entire length of the hole.
The Par 3 eleventh plays over a valley of umbrella pine trees, bunkers sit short left and right of the green, while water lies to the far left catching any wayward or pulled tee shots.
The twelfth gives the longer hitters the opportunity to attack this green with their tee shot when conditions are favorable; the shrewd approach is to play a fairway wood or long iron from the tee leaving a precise medium iron approach.
The thirteenth hole descends towards the stunning backdrop of a natural lake; the drive should be played to a wide landing area short of the two fairway bunkers offering
the best approach into this green. Precision and feel will be needed to safely land and hold this shallow green.
The Par 3 fourteenth is a real gem, water borders the left hand side of the hole and a bunker catches shots long and right. Play for the more generous front third of the green leaving you with a well earned two putt par.
The tee shot should be played towards the fairway bunker on the left, the natural terrain and native grasses undulate along the left side of the hole grabbing any errant tee shots while the stream running along the right hand side will penalize a pushed drive.
The wind which gusts between the foothills will make club selection for the second shot difficult to determine but very important to get right.
The uphill Par 5 sixteenth is scattered with numerous bunkers framing the left side of the hole and approach to the green. A tee shot aimed over the right hand fairway bunker will be the best line avoiding the narrow stream running across this fairway.
The Par 4 seventeenth dog left right generally plays into the prevailing Ocean breeze, a well struck tee shot will leave you with a long iron approach into this raised green guarded by bunkers front left and right.
Aim down the left hand side of this generous fairway to take advantage of the natural contours, kicking your ball forward. With a good drive you have every chance of reaching the green in two and making birdie.
