Linna Golf, one of Scandinavia’s premier golf venues, has extended its partnership with the European Tour for a further five years, meaning it will remain a European Tour Course until at least 2016.
The stunning Finnish golf complex, which features in Golf World magazine’s prestigious Top 100 European Courses Ranking, has been part of the European Tour Properties network since its official opening in 2005.
Set to reopen for the 2012 season on 12 May, the course, created by Tim Lobb of European Golf Design, is set amid a spectacular pine forest and its immaculate fairways and greens are bordered by rocky outcrops, water features and dense woodland. It offers an exciting and interesting challenge to professionals and average handicappers alike.
It also has outstanding off-course facilities, an exquisite clubhouse and an on-site hotel which was formerly a hunting lodge dating back to the 1920s.
The acclaimed resort hosted the SK Golf Challenge on the European Challenge Tour in 2009, which was won by Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts (currently eighth in The Race to Dubai), the European Amateur Championship in 2010 and the Finnish PGA Championship last year.
Significant upgrades were made to Linna Golf, which is located 100km north of Helsinki, in 2011, including the renovation of 20 of the 93 bunkers and the introduction of state-of-the-art turf care machinery, ensuring the course remains in pristine condition.
David MacLaren, Director of Property and Venue Development for The European Tour, said: “Linna Golf has proved to be among our longest-standing and best European Tour Properties partners over the last six years.
“The foresight and determination of the owners, spearheaded by Mika Walkamo, have produced a venue whose standard of golf course, facilities and service are truly world-class. Our players regarded the course as one of the finest Challenge Tour venues ever visited and I am delighted that our partnership will continue for at least another five years.”
Mika Walkamo, Chairman of Linna Golf, added: “It is an honour for us to again host this summer the PGA Finnish Championship at the end of June, with its unique Pro-Am format. We are very proud to hold this Championship for the second year in succession and of the continued confidence in Linna shown by the European Tour. We are very proud of being the only venue in Finland designated a European Tour Course.”
European Tour Properties is a thriving portfolio comprising four European Tour Destinations – Le Golf National in Paris, London Golf Club in Kent, England, St. Leon-Rot in Germany and Terre Blanche in southern France – and six European Tour Courses – Estonian Golf and Country Club, Fleesensee Golf and Country Club in Germany, Kungsängen in Sweden, PGA Catalunya Resort in Spain and Quinta do Lago in Portugal, in addition to Linna Golf.
Linna Golf www.linnagolf.fi
European Tour www.europeantour.com