The European Tour is stepping their game up once again, and this time, they’re doing it in a literal sense. At this week’s Turkish Airlines Open, the Tour decided that the par-4 16th hole at Regnum Carya Golf and Spa Resort needed to be stretch out a little more. Without any course real estate left, they looked up for inspiration.
The raised tee will add 34 yards to the hole, making it a 463-yard monster. Tournament director Miguel Viador explained the decision to EuropeanTour.com:
“Obviously it’s the first time Regnum Carya Golf & Resort Spa have hosted a European Tour event and we took a look at the course and how we might set it up,” said Tournament Director Miguel Vidaor. “The original 16th hole was altered during the construction of the villas and the new tee on the roof is pretty much where the old tee used to be.” “The raised tee really enhances the hole, gives the players a great view, brings the bunkers into play and looks great on TV,” Vidaor told us.
“We were able to get real grass on the roof and the tee is in good shape. It takes 4 men to lift a hand mower up the stairs to the tee! I’m looking forward to watching players head up there throughout the week.”
<
And here's 3-time major winner and Portugal Masters champion @padraig_h teeing off on 16. #TurkishAirlinesOpen pic.twitter.com/qZuEaz46Fj
— Phil Casey (@pcaseysafc) November 1, 2016
