Long hitters will have advantage: Serghini
casablanca — Faycal Serghini believes prodigious length off the tee and patience on the greens will hold the key to success when a strong field negotiates the Palmeraie Country Club course that makes its debut on the MENA Tour this week.
“The course is fairly wide open and will definitely favour the long hitters if they can hit the fairways, but the greens will be tough to read since they are too young and tricky,” said Serghini, one of the most experienced Moroccan golfers, who knows a thing or two about the course having played it many times since its opening six months ago.
“You can always expect the unexpected as it (the Palmeraie Country Club Casablanca Open) will be the first professional event on this course, but I do feel players will have fun playing on this course which provides a fair test of shotmaking skills,” said Serghini, who also runs a golf academy at his native Casablanca.
“Like the golf course, my game is also in great shape. I am working hard on my putting and if it clicks I can expect good scores,” said Serghini, a three-time runner-up on the MENA Tour and one who will spearhead the home challenge in a field that has attracted 136 golfers, including 19 amateurs, from 25 countries.
Measuring 6,571 yards off the championship tee, the course, designed by the Canadian duo Nelson and Haworth and Talbot Golf Design, harmoniously integrates into the forest of Bouskoura, demanding accuracy and strategic thinking.
“We are delighted to be part of the Mena Tour as we feel it is a great catalyst for the overall growth and development of the sport in our country,” said Mohamed Addine, General Manager of Palmeraie Country Club.