SON GUAL
THE WORLD OF GOLFING
17
“I’ve practiced in Dubai in the winter but
it’s very expensive and Mallorca is so
much more enjoyable.
It’s become a very easy way to practice
and enjoy some time away with the
family. It feels like a second home to me
now.”
Ritthammer, who has won three events
on the Challenge Tour, has shot a six-
under-par 66 from the back tees during
practice at Son Gual but admits it is by
no means an easy place to score well.
He said: “I think it’s a great design. You
can make it accessible for everybody,
depending on which tee box you choose.
It’s certainly very tough from the back
tees.
“It’s challenging but it’s a lot of fun at the
same time. I think a course should be fun
and easy to play from the forward tees
and really challenging for better golfers
from the back tees.
Son Gual achieves that balance – there is
something there for everyone.
“The greens at Son Gual are definitely
very good, which helps me prepare for
Tour events as they are very big and very
complex – there are some big slopes to
contend with.
“But some of the shots in are really
challenging and sometimes I’m thinking
‘maybe I should have played from the
yellows here’. I love it there though.”
play an important role in his progress at
a place he calls his ‘second home’.
Rittammer said: “I hope it’s a long-term
arrangement with Son Gual.
I can always get on the course early,
get a buggy and I can play a round in
two-and-a-half hours. It gives me time
to work on my practice as well and it
works really well for me to use the time
effectively to prepare for tournament
golf.
“I try to get there as often as I can –
especially during the winter when the
weather isn’t good in Germany. I was
there with my family for about three
weeks this winter but I want to get down
there for maybe four to six weeks this
year to practice and to enjoy a family
holiday as well.
“It’s ideal – it’s such a short flight to
Palma from Munich. From my doorstep
in Munich, I can be on the tee at Son
Gual in maybe five or six hours.
WEBSITE: www.son-gual.com
Ritthammer’s recent success in
Valderamma came tinged with
disappointment as he narrowly missed
out on a possible place at The Open,
which would have been his first
appearance at a Major.
He said: “I had a horrible first half of the
season but played well at Valderrama
recently. I dropped two shots in the last
five holes, which really stung.
Had I finished two shots better, I would
have got into the Irish and Scottish Open
and it would have probably meant I
would have got into The Open as well.
“Hopefully, playing at my first Major
tournament is not far away.”