STENSBALLEGAARD - GolfInc Development of the Year 2010

GolfInc Development of the Year 2010 

 The Winter issue of GolfInc magazine announced Stensballegaard Golf Club in Horsens, Denmark as 1st place "Development of the Year 2010".  You can read the article by clicking here.  In this article, Lyngbygaard Golf Club is also recognized as a finalist.  It is a great honor for us to have two golf courses recognized for this award. 

Both of these projects were developed at the same time.  The teams were different but the dedication was the same on each project.  The true reward is, this award recognizes achievement of project goals, i.e. the development team's effort and success. 

This is particularly gratifying as both of these projects needed to satisfy significant administrative and environmental restrictions.  On the postive side, both project sites possessed incredible natural beauty and the climate conditions are nearly ideal for Fescue turf.

INSIDE STORY

So, it is unusual (these days) to have the opportunity to design and build two golf courses in close proximity to each other. These two projects - Stensballegaard and Lyngbygaard are located about 25km/15miles apart from each other.

ENTITLEMENTS
After realizing there were an increasing number of golf projects being proposed, the Danish government convened a panel to study the impact of golf on the environment. This placed a moratorium on new golf projects and delayed any new projects for about one year. These two projects were among the first projects approved, following the federally imposed embargo.

The year long federal study resulted in legislation giving more authority to local municipalities, in the evaluation and entitlement of proposed projects. This, in a way, temporarily complicated the process, as municipalities were not previously accustomed to this much input and authority. So, it took some time for the local authorities to reorganize and establish a process for evaluating and approving golf projects. This gave Stensballegaard, which is located in the smaller community of Horsens, a slight advantage. Being a smaller community, Horsens was able to respond quicker to the new process. While Aarhus (Lyngbygaard), being a larger community, required more time to assimilate this new legislation and process. In fairness, a portion of the Lyngbygaard Golf Course sits on top of one of the community’s water wells. And, this was a delicate issue which required careful study and intelligent solutions, further delaying the start of construction.

I WAS WRONG
In the beginning,  I naively thought golfers would be curious about the difference between the courses, and even celebrate comparing the two. After all, how often do you get this opportunity, to see two courses developed in close proximity to each other, by the same designer? What an opportunity to understand how a designer deals with two different properties, two different sets of criteria. Jeez, was I wrong.

Actually, what has occurred is a polarization of opinion. Some golfers simply express a preference for one course over the other. But, most golfers like one course and can’t comprehend the appeal of other one. Initially, it seemed strange to me. I really didn’t expect such disparate opinions. In the end, it’s likely another lesson in how, as golf “extremists”, we lose touch with real “golfers”.

You see, we think all the intricate design minutiae we suffer over, represent something deeply meaningful to the average golfer. We grind away on; history, style, aesthetics, contrast, art, environmental issues, tactical balance, strategy, etc. etc. And, in the end, the average golfer’s myopic obsessions are;

1. Good "greens",
2. Green grass and,
3. Guaranteed good lie in the bunker.

The 3-G's!  Sound cynical?  It's not intended that way.  For the "average golfer" it's just this basic.  (And, in case you are wondering, if you are reading this, you probably aren't an average golfer.)

But, if you're still skeptical, next time you are in the 19 hole, take a moment to listen to, and contemplate the comments you hear about the golf course, any golf course.  I'm willing to bet they be covered by one of the three categories mentioned above.......

I was relating the above story to someone, and he told me I was looking at it wrong.  He said, "If golfers have a discernible and strong opinion about one course over the other, it means they are two very different golf courses.  You should consider this a compliment.  Not everyone can make two disctinctly different golf courses under such similar circumstances."  This isn't bad.  Maybe I should call him back and see if he wants a marketing job.......