It isn’t the most challenging course, but what it lacks in difficulty it more than makes up for in natural beauty. Guy Fiorita tees off at Golfclub Seefeld-Wildmoos in the Austrian Tyrol
Standing on the first tee, looking through a tight corridor of trees and off to the snow-capped mountains in the distance, I could easily see why this course was named Seefeld-Wildmoos. OK, maybe my German isn’t too hot but I certainly could imagine a wild moose forming part of the scene.
Set 24 kilometres west of Innsbruck in the foothills of the Austrian Alps, the course winds its way through mature pine forest in the shadow of the majestic Karwendel mountain range, and apart from the clubhouse there is hardly a man-made structure to be seen.
The tight tee shot I faced on the first hole, turned out to be a regular feature of the course. Except for the par-3s, many of the holes opened this way. The good news is that if you can keep your ball straight for the first 50 metres or so, the holes open up offering a generous landing area.
Seefeld-Wildmoos is not a long course (5,894 metres off the championship tees), and fairway bunkers and water hazards are virtually nonexistent. You should be able to score well here, especially if you can control your drive.
Be warned. You’re playing in the Alps. In other words, there is a lot of uphill walking to do. This is especially true of the trek through the woods from the fifth green to the sixth tee and the walk up the 10th fairway to the green. This hilly terrain also means you will be faced with a number of blind shots, although not as many as you might expect and definitely not enough to penalise the first-time player.
Seefeld-Wildmoos is kept in immaculate condition with near-perfect fairways and greens. It might not be the most challenging of courses, but the pleasure lies in the way it has been incorporated into its surroundings – the site boasts awesome natural beauty with not a house or apartment block anywhere to be seen. The views are stunning. This is pure Alpine golfing at its best.
GOLFCLUB SEEFELD-WILDMOOS
Postfach 22, 6100 Seefeld
Tyrol, Austria
Tel: +43 (0) 699 16066060
www.seefeldgolf.com
GOLFCLUB SEEFELD-WILDMOOS
| Opened | 1910 |
| Designer | Don Harradine |
| Number of holes | 17 |
| Par | 70 |
| Length | |
| Championship tees | 5,894 metres |
| White tees | 5,217 metres |
| Red tees | 4,613 metres |
Green fees: €67
Other services: driving range, putting green, pitching green, practise bunker, buggies, carts, club rental, pro shop, changing rooms, showers, lockers, private and group classes, restaurant, snack bar
Where to stay: Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol, featured in this issue’s Gourmet Drive, is just 15 minutes from the course. Guests at the hotel receive a 30 per cent discount on green fees
THE HOLE
Although it is one of the easiest holes on the course, I think most people would agree that the 162-metre, par-3, ninth hole is the most memorable. The tee is set high above the green, higher than a 10-storey building I was told. It’s just a chip down to the very large green below. This is one of those holes you’d like to take a bucket of range balls to and while away a few hours.
THE WATERING HOLE
Maybe it was the altitude, 1,300 metres above sea level, but by the time I finished the round I was beat and in desperate need of hydration. I solved the problem with a frosty glass of Zillertal Pils. Sitting on the terrace as the sun played on the Alps above me and a foursome struggled their way up the 10th fairway below, the hoppy local brew was wonderfully refreshing and had my energy levels back up in no time.
THE VIEW
With the course built right up against the mountains there are spectacular views from almost every hole. Pressed to choose, I personally enjoyed those from the elevated sixth tee, especially after the long climb up from the fifth green.
