Greens
Type of grass - Penncross / Poa
Height of cut - 3.5mm
Speed / stimpmeter reading - 9'6"
Any specific comments - sloping greens which can be difficult to read

Fairways
Type of grass - Penneagle / Poa / Rye Grass / Kikuyu
Height of cut - 12mm
General width and contouring - generous fairways 25-25m

Tees / collars
Type of grass - Penneagle / Poa / Kikuyu
Height of cut - 9mm

Rough
Type of grass - Rye grass / Poa
Height of cut - semi 32mm, intermediate n/a, rough 64mm

Weather
Weather in advance - mixed, fog and rain leading up to the event
Forecast for tournament - cloudy and cool, while the annual issue of passing low cloud and mist over the course due to its altitude often causes visibility problems and delays during tournament play

Course
Opened - 1991
Course designer - Robert Trent Jones Jnr
Special features - the course descends 300m from top to bottom
General playability - can be tricky judging the distance because of the altitude and wind
Undulating / flat - very hilly course
Tree lined / exposed - most of the trees are quite a long way from the fairways
Many / few water hazards - there are quite a few water hazards but not too close to play
Changes to the course - since 2008 a few wooded areas have been cleared

Other features
- The tournament returned last year to Santo da Serra after three years at the neighbouring island of Porto Santo
- This will be the 21st anniversary of the tournament
- Stunning views of the Atlantic ocean