10 things to note on the eve of the 2016 LAAC

On the eve of the 2016 LAAC (Latin America Amateur Championship), what do we know and what can we expect from the second instalment of the tournament?

After exploring the course and facilities at Casa de Campo today, and talking with a number of the competitors, I’ve found out a bit more about how the layout is going to play and what the golfers are expecting from the event. Here are 10 things I’ve picked up on.

1 – These guys are focused

The tournament has moved on from last year and the players in the field are fully aware of the significance of the event they’re competing in, and of the potential rewards. The general consensus from the competitors is that they didn’t know what to expect in Buenos Aires last year, but now they do. Defending champion Matias Dominguez summed it up by saying; “everyone is here this year, and people have come to win.”

2 – Georgia’s on their minds

All of those who feel they have a chance of winning (and a good portion of the field do) are thinking about The Masters, even if they protest otherwise. “Of course, we all think about it,” said 18-year-old Luis Gerardo Garza from Mexico. “When I was a little younger, playing at Augusta was a distant dream. Now, with this event, it just seems a little closer.”

3 – It’s wide open

Santiago Gomez of Colombia (tied 5th last year) made that clear when he was asked who he felt he would need to beat to claim victory this time out. “There isn’t one, or two or even five guys I could name,” he said. “There are so many people in the field who could take victory here if they have a good week. I think many of us believe we have a good enough game to win, it’s just about delivering.”

4 – This event is a key target

I’m surprised to see just how many of the players who teed it up in Buenos Aires are back to contend this year. Many older guys who I thought might have turned pro are back to try their luck in this event. With the prizes on offer that’s hardly surprising – For the winner: an invite to Augusta, entry to the 2016 Amateur and U.S. Amateur Championships; both the winner and runner-up receive exemptions into The Open final qualifying and sectional qualifying for the US Open.

Matias Dominguez of Chile is back to defend his title and other more (relatively) senior players like Andre Tourinho of Brazil who was tied third last year are back for another crack of the whip.

5 – Tosti has had quite a year

Last year’s runner-up Alejandro Tosti, who was inconsolable at the conclusion of the tournament in Buenos Aires, has been through quite a lot this year: He’s started at the University of Florida, he’s learned to speak English almost flawlessly, he’s received guidance from fellow Argentinian Angel Cabrera, he struggled with homesickness in his early days at College and then fell gravely ill when an infected tooth led to encephalitis. Despite all that, he’s confident of going one better this time out. “It’s the same tournament but it’s different mentally. I know I can do it now.”

6 – The course is tough

There are obvious hazards on the Teeth of the Dog course at Casa de Campo, principal among them: the ocean. It’s a factor on seven of the 18 holes and, depending on the wind, its presence is extremely threatening. But there’s more for the players to worry about. From the tee, the layout is relatively generous, but out-of-bounds lurks on a number of holes: most are lined by luxurious properties and if a ball ends up on the front lawn of one of them, the perpetrator will be teeing it up again.

Rules of golf - boundary walls:

Then the greens and surrounds appear challenging. The putting surfaces are currently pretty firm and that will place a premium on finding the fairways. If approaching from the rough it’ll be extremely difficult to get any stop on the ball. Then, chipping and pitching looks potentially tough, the ball is rolling out and a deft touch will be required. That might suit:

7 – Juan Alvarez

The Uruguayan is the highest ranked player in the field, currently 34th on the World Amateur Golf Ranking. He performed well in this tournament last year and has won seven ranking tournaments since then. He finished second in the Argentine Open on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica and has represented Argentina in the World Amateur Team Championship on three occasions.

His short game is his strength and that could come to the fore this week. “Yes, short game is my strongest asset,” he said. “But I continue to work on it.” He’s another man trying to put The Masters out of his mind. “First I have to play well, then I can think about the Masters.” But then he let slip, “I dreamed of playing at Augusta when I was a little boy, then comes a tournament which gives you a chance of that… it’s pretty cool.”

8 – Local knowledge…

… Could play a part this week. 18-year-old Juan Jose Guerra of the Dominican Republic who is a freshman at Nova Southeastern University has played this course many times and has been here for almost a month practising. “Yes, of course it gives me an advantage over the field,” he said. “I just have to make it count.”

9 – The par 3s

They could be important, particularly those on the water’s edge. The 5th doesn’t look too intimidating on the card at just 160 yards, but it’s to a small green jutting out into the sea. Then the 7th is something of a brute. It’s 229 yards and 205 of those are carry across the water, there’s no bailout. Today the wind was helping and most still required a hybrid to reach. If the wind turns to hurt, it could be a monster.

Driving into the wind:

10 – The Scouts are out

We know for certain that at least one US college coach is already here this week to look at prospective recruits. Santiago Gomez of Colombia confirmed his coach is here this week, not just to look at his swing. He’s on the lookout for talented youngsters to recruit for Nova Southeastern. We’re only an hour’s flight from Miami here so it’s not much of a hop for many coaches to come down for a look. They will only be able to target 50% of the field mind you – the other half of those entered are already on the books of US colleges.