Simon Gidman, Golf Course Architects have just concluded a new 18th green, 1st tee and academy facilities at the Hösel Golf Club near Dusseldorf, Germany. Whilst the golf course is only some 15 years old initial planning objections restricting clearance of trees in a nearby orchard forced the 18th green and driving range some distance from the clubhouse.
However the local authorities recently accepted the revised location of the 18th green, and a new tee, fairway bunkers, 18th green and academy facilities, constructed by Josef Pötter was eventually opened in mid summer 2009.
As Chris Raper, the Course Manager, has said ‘the local authorities allowed some minor clearance of poorly managed trees and in its place we have doubled the size of the original orchard and planted up rare varieties of fruit trees so that both the Club with this new 18th green and academy facilities and the local authorities are delighted at the way the project has evolved. The new academy will be one of the best facilities in the area made up of part matting and part turf which will make it playable all the year round’.
Hösel Golf Club www.golfclubhoesel.de
Simon Gidman, Golf Course Architects www.gidmangolf.co.uk