Report from Scott Weersing - Opening Day.
Olivas Links has a unique look with high grasses
between the holes along with selected pine trees and
eucalyptus trees. Many green complexes have no bunkers
and none of greens have rough. Except for a few thin
fairways that are growing in and are heavily watered,
the rest of the course is fast and firm.
The pictures begin with the 3rd hole. The first two
holes are along a road and are hard to photograph
because of palm trees and telephone poles in the
backgrounds.
Third Hole, par 4, 333 yards-white, 357 yards –blue.
The fairway bunkers are 80 yards from the green making
it hard to drive the green.
Fourth hole, par 5, 470 yards-white, 510 yards –blue,
The tree on the right will come in play on your third
shot. It plays downwind and has no bunkers around the
green. In the second picture you can see how this
green is raised and slopes from front to back.
The fifth hole is not visually interesting as a 167
yard –blue tees, par 3 but its green is raised in the
front and then slopes to the back.
Seventh hole, par 4, 382 yards-white, 395, blue. This
view is from the right rough but shows how the green
slopes from front to back. This hole will also play
downwind bringing the tree into play.
The ninth and 18 green are connected. This photo shows
the 18 green on the left with the ninth fairway behind
it.
The green on the tenth hole looking back to the
fairway.
The 13th hole is 171 yards from the blue tees. This
second view is from behind the green looking back to
the tee.
The 15th hole is 357 yards from the blue tees but
there is no view of the green from the tee box as the
green sits behind some small trees. So you have to hit
over the fence and bushes on your second shot. Notice
the ridge which bisects the green.
The 16 th hole is one of the best, 455 yards, par 4
that bends to the right. The hole plays downwind with
a lake on the left, about 270 yards from the tee. The
bunkers are not in play but add to the look of the
hole.
The 17th hole has the only elevated tee and plays 149
yards from the blue tees. While the green looks
narrow, it is in fact 35 yards deep.
The 18th hole is 490 yards from the blue tees and the
green is bordered by the ninth green.