Cyprus Open, Aphrodite Hills Resort

The Aphrodite Hills Golf Resort, so named after the supposed emergence from the sea of the goddess Aphrodite, the goddess of love! In modern terms a short 6,289 metres (6918 yards). The golf course opened in 2002 designed by the architect, Cabell Robinson. Robinson features superb views, tough pot bunkers,  Bermuda fairways and large multi tiered greens. The course meanders through native olive and carob trees and is built on two headlands, dramatically featuring a dividing ravine with views over the Mediterranean. The  130 metre gorge provides a location for the renowned par three 7th hole.

The field is not of the highest class with recent winner Andy Sullivan as an $18 favourite.

I’ve gone with the young Wilco Neinaber-$60 on Betfair as my best value pick amongst the players under $100 and

Chris Paisley-$85 showing recent good form

The real value came lower down the charts.

Toby Tree-$280

Jeff Winther-$170

Adrien Saddier-$200 recently unlucky not to take out a Rolex event

Julian Suri-$210 working back into form

Sebastian Garcia-Rodriguez-$320

Robin Scott-Siegrist-$420

Joel Stalter-$550

Dale Whitnell-$360

Dave Coupland-$430 Very competitive recently

Gregory Havret-$730 US Open runner up, pops up occasionally now

 

No LPGA event

US Tour

The Bermuda Championship, to be played on the Port Royal Golf Course designed by prolific architect, Robert Trent Jones was originally named after the area of Bermuda denoted Southampton. At 6842 yards par 71 the course which was originally in 1962 a long test is now one of the shortest on the PGA Tour rota.

Trent Jones Design had to change a number of times due to land agreements, which fell over, however this caused the creation of the spectacular 16th hole – the tee and green of which perch precariously on cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and is depicted below.

The course opened initially in 1970. A member of the original design team, Roger Rulewich, redesigned the course for the Grand Slam of Golf featuring all major winners and reopened in July 2009 for this event.

Photo of the famed 16th at Aphrodite Hills

The Bermuda is almost a second tier event and many of the top players have chosen a Masters preparation rather than attend this fine event.

As a result Rookie Will Zalatoris heads the market on Betfair at $14 after a spectacular start. He’s a little short for me, I found

Tyler McCumber-$110 impressive in a better field recently

Will Gordon-$160 Seems high compared with Zalatoris’ price

Joseph Bramlett-$110 another with recent competitive efforts

Lucas Bjerregard-$370

Josh Teater-$230

Sang Moon Bae-$230 Starting to recover after compulsory military training

Ryan Brehm-$410

Robert Streb-$460

Ricky Barnes-$500 former US Am champ, must pop up one day

Kevin Tway-$330

Ryan Blaum-$600 Seemed the best of the Ryans

Alex Cheka-$900 excels in the Island events ta the second level

Nelson Ledesma-$810