A mix of old Vienna and now the new,

From the terrace of Fontana is quite a view.

Grass of green as far as you can see,

A design and test for you and me.

When in Vienna, you surely should not miss,

Golf’s venue as grand and regal as this.

A perfect mix for the day and night,

The Sound of Music would be just right.

Die Wiener Straatsoper. The Opera House Vienna.  There is a rich, yet dark, history surrounding one of the most iconic venues for opera in the world.  Designed by Viennese architect August Sicard von Sicardsburg and Eduard van Der Null, the Vienna Opera House opened on May 25, 1869.  The guests, including the Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth, on that very special evening listened to Mozart’s “Don Giovanni”.  Music and performances continued on for the next 70 years.  However, on March 12, 1945, during the WWII, the Opera House was bombed, devastating the building.   After six weeks, on May 1, 1945, the State Opera in the Volksoper opened with a performance of Mozart’s “Le nozzle di Figaro,”  Then on October 6, 1945, the Theater an Der Wien reopened with Beethoven’s “Fidelio”.  During the next 10 years, performances continued in the two locations.  Then in 1955, the Vienna Opera House reopened to the delight of the world.  Austria had regained independence, filling the air with music once again.

When planning any trip to Vienna, a night at the Opera should be first on the nightly list.  And when combined with the elegance and luxury of a day at Fontana, there are very few days in this modern world that can mix old and new so perfectly well.  But then there is also Albertina Hall, just across the street.

Opera House, Michelin restuarant - Tian, The Albertina - Vienna

From Monet and Picasso, Gaugin and Cezanne, to special exhibitions of Lichtenstein and Beresin, The Albertina Museum houses some of the most important works in the world. Drawings, photographs, watercolors, old and new master prints, all are on display. Those held permenantly bring poeople from all over the globe, just to experience such wonder and beauty. Dating back to the second half of the 17th century, the building itself is worthy of a visit. Cap the afternoon off with a Michelin restaurant such as Tian, and you have have had one spectacular journey in Vienna. But let's get to golf.

Fontana is only 30 minutes from the center of Vienna, just to the south. For a mid-morning time, take a few minutes and stop by one of the city’s quaint coffee shops.  My personal favorite is “Coffee and Friends” but there is Cafe Central (the most famous coffee house), Coffee Couture (Innere Stadt), and Balthasar Coffee Bar.  Starting off the day with a steep and deep cup of Viennese coffee will make the drive to Fontana that much more enjoyable.

The Clubhouse - Fontana

Arriving the club you immediately recognize the stark difference between most of the other facilities in the area and this one.  Located in one of Austria’s most cosmopolitan residential neighborhoods, the clubhouse is rather large, modern and grand.  If you closed your eyes, opened them, you could very well be in Florida, Arizona or Southern California.  The entrance opens to a reception, dining area, bar, and terrace.  There is no pro shop or golf shop for purchasing apparel, but you can load up on golf balls and a few other golf related items.   This is a true “country club,” complete with athletic club, swimming and pool area, tennis courts and membership activities.  However, public is welcome to play given prior arrangements.

So, let’s play Fontana

The first hole at Fontana starts with a bang; long, demanding, and challending. A par 4, it takes every bit of your driver off the tee, cutting the corner on the left if you can. There are two sneaky bunkers that may not see from the box, so make sure you stay in the fairway, but on the left side. The next shot is a long iron, hybrid, fairway metal... and maybe two. There is water to the back of the green so if you need to play it short and then rely on the bump and run, so be it. The green is receptive and can be quick. Personal experience... land the approach left and play for the bump and run.

What a view to the green at the 2nd

It's quick, but a par 3 is next. The second hole is short but requires a fairly exact club selection. Whatever club, make sure it is enough to carry the hazard in front and shy enough to keep out of the bunkers of the back of the green. The putting surface is narrow and fast toward the water. Personal experience... right side of the green opens quicker so bailing there is a good thought.

Wildlife around the course... beautiful

The third hole is just a "sweet as" par 4. From a design perspective, the bunkers are perfectly place, the undulations daunting, and the trees to the back artistically frame the green. It is a short hole, but placement is everything. You may not need to hit driver, but if you can take it up the left, you just might get a few nice bounces toward the green. The surface is large, so take not of the pin placement. Personal experience...go ahead and hit driver.

Though the 4th hole is straight as a the shortest distance between two points, it is long. The carry from the tee to fairway is intense ad requires a pretty big nut of a drive. Driving it down the left will keep away from the one bunker on the right. A forest of trees dots the left and will cage you in so just be aware. Reach for a fairway metal for the second shot (and perhaps another). The green is deep allowing both loft and run as a shot selection. Personal experience... watch the grain on your putt.

Hitting over the water at #5

The 5th hole is picturesque and charming par 3, over water wtih bunkers to the back. Another all carry club selection, just playing this hole "smart" is key. Depending on the tee of choice, determines what kind of shot to hit. Ladies, this is the hole for you! The putt breaks toward the water. Personal experience... long is better than short.

A short, but pretty narrow, par 4 parallels the tree lines for the 6th hole. Driver is the club off the tee, even if it is a small hole. With any length, you can split the fairway traps on the right and left, leaving you a short to mid-iron/hybrid into the green. The surface is generous and receptive, providing a great opportunity for success. Personal experience... miss the bunker on the right.

Another par 4 sneaks up at the 7th, short but a demanding tee shot over the wasteland. Sand appears on the right side of the fairway and water lurks down the left. Neither should give too much of an issue but keeping both obstacles out of reach makes for a much easier approach. This is where being able to hit it high will be an advantage. Come in from the right to make it tight? Personal experience... hit driver off the tee.

The little one playing through on 8

The 8th hole is a tough par 4, especially for where it is on the course. You are warmed up, but might need a bit of energy. A dogleg to the left with a patch of trees guarding any thought of cutting the corner too much. But a good drive down the right will give you access into a long but narrow green. Personal experience... miss the bunker left of the green.

Phew. Number 9...just a good par 5. Driver is the club as the first shot is all carry - wasteland and water. Once you are over the mess, it is a straight shot for the second. However, there is a green right in the middle of the landing area, which is best to miss. Play for yardage; if you have distance, then go ahead an go for the green in two. If not, play short of the middle trap, settling for the next shot into the green. Personal experience... make sure you check the yardage to the bunker 50 yards out.

Tables and chairs invite you for a quick sit before heading to the 10th tee box. Take a load off and spend a few minutes relaxing, enjoying the Austrian fare. If you have to let a group through, do so! Top off the energy and mosey to the back nine, ready to go.

The Halfway House at Fontana

Powered up and rested, the 10th hole will test your every shot making ability. A par 4 with a very slight bend to the left about halfway down, there are a couple of fairway bunkers that will try to get the wayward drive. Distance is key so take the driver and strike it down the middle. From every tee box, a big approach into the green is needed. A greenside bunker on the right will take your eye left, keep it there! Personal experience... aim down the left side of the fairway for a clear shot into the green.

The 11th is a good chance to tackle a par 4. Short and stout, this "S" shaped fairway will tempt you in different ways; cut the corner ever so slightly to the left and you will have a short distance into the pin. Greenside bunkering is tight so if you don't get off the tee well, just play for the opening in the front of the green. Personal experience... avoid the wasteland to the left.

The hairy entrance to the 11th green

Big carries on a lot of tee shots, and this is no different. The par 4, 12th, requires a pretty good drive leaving a mid-iron to longer approach. There is only one bunker on this hole, but don't let that fool you. There is a bit of a wasteland left a few trees to the right of the fairway. All that said, despite the length, this is a hole that shouldn't give too much of an issue. Personal experience... trust the swing all the way.

The 13th hole is a regal par 5. Traps every which way, fairway and greenside. From tee to green, it is a straight line, but as the grass is cut, there are a few switchbacks. Play the hole as it is designed, and you will be fine. The first set of sand really shouldn't be any trouble, so just put the blinders on and aim down the road. The second set of bunkers to the left might catch your eye, but you want to be on the right side anyway. If distance is lacking for the day, no worries. Just keep it short of the green and utilize the short game. Personal experience... set yourself up for the next shot on each shot.

Sans sand, the 14th is the easiest hole on the course

The easiest hole on the course, from every tee, is the 14th. It is short with a generous landing area, even if a fairway trap lurks into your eyesight. For those with length, take it over the left side, leaving yourself a short shot in the hole. Othewise, aim toward the larger part of the fairway and trust the shot. A short to mid-iron will be your approach. The green does move right with the break so play for that. Personal experience... be bold on this hole and reach for it!

Going to the beach at the 15th hole

The par 3, 15th, is the first of the two beautiful short holes coming up. If the sand were anywhere else, beach chairs and umbrella drinks would be lining the shore. But here, club selection is key. The shot is all carry, with little room for error. Pick a club, aim for the "fat" part of the green and swing. The green slopes toward you so a little long is better than short. Personal experience... leave the drinks for the terrace!

The next hole was my favorite par 4. Just a lovely designed utilizing a bit of everything. The tee shot is demanding with water right and sand left. Block out both and you are fine. Long hitters might be able to back down to a 3 wood or even long iron off the tee, but if you need the length, then swing the driver. Bail out right if anything as there is plenty of room. Personal experience... enjoy the journey.

Beautiful landing into the 17th hole - par 3

The 17th is just special. A 270 degree island green that requires an all carry shot. Distance takes the back seat to direction on this hole. The green slopes toward the tee, holding most shots coming in. There is quite a bit of grain on the putting surface, so read the break carefully. Personal experience... trust yourself as this hole will get in your head!

Around the horn to the 18th green

And the 18th, one of the most picturesque and special holes in and around Vienna. A par 5 around the horn, all of which you can see from the tee. The beautiful clubhouse in the distance framing the 18th green. It is one of the harder holes on the course, especially being the last. Muster up the gumption and try for 3-4 more good swings. Longer hitters might try for the green, but there really is little reason. Play the hole as designed and you will be ready for a glass of Austrian wine on the terrace. Personal experience... block out all beautiful visuals until you get to the green.

Fontana. A beautiful example of how modern can exist in the old world. From the facility to the golf course, to everything in between, Fontana should be on everyone's list when in Vienna. Spending the day walking (or riding) this fastidious and carefully crafted links, followed by a wine-tasting nearby, then a night in the city - opera or starred fare - it is a day dreams are made of. To all at Fontana, thank you for working within nature, creating a masterpiece that keeps the environment in mind. You are special!