AK Bars Golf Resort in Russia has held a soft opening of its new course built along the banks of the River Volga which was designed by Harradine Golf.
The project began in October 2020 when the Harradine team visited several sites in and near Kazan, ultimately choosing one that was mostly flat. Engo Group, under the supervision of Arne van Amerongen, began construction in late April 2021. The project progressed despite snow and freezing conditions until the last hole was completed in late June 2022.
With most of the available Volga shoreline to be used for real estate, Michael Harradine – who led the project with help of his father Peter and colleague Matt Osborne – could only design two holes next to the river, the 17th and 18th.
“Our biggest problem was that most of the site was below the Volga’s high-water mark which meant that it had to be raised by an average of two metres,” said Peter Harradine. “Around 800,000 cubic metres was dredged from the Volga to reach the required levels and improve the uninteresting topography, although more fill was taken from the three artificial lakes.”
“The saving grace was that most of the perimeter is surrounded by trees and a long line of trees crosses the land. They were naturally kept and used in the design. The second great advantage was that it was adjacent to the Volga.”
Harradine’s last visit to AK Bars was on 30 August. “I must say that the two visits I had this year were extremely easy and uncomplicated,” he said. “The political situation did not influence completion. In fact, life is very normal at the airports and did not affect my travels to and through the country.”
