Golf Course Architecture - Issue 58 October 2019

18 Harradine completes Arosa remodel Harradine Golf has completed a project to remodel nine holes at Golf Club Arosa in Switzerland. “The main reason for the remodelling was due to the fact that the lack of the appropriate machinery in 1947 produced a few blind holes and a nearly impossible finishing hole,” said Peter Harradine, who has overseen the work. “The members and the golfers will be extremely happy with the improvements as there are no blind shots any more.” The project was carried out on the original nine holes, which were designed and built by Harradine’s father Don in 1947. The second nine at Arosa was designed by Peter Harradine in 2001 and has not been impacted by this project. “The weather at 1,800 metres is very unpredictable as it can snow during the summer months with frequent thunderstorms that can bring 20 millimetres of water in one hour,” said Harradine. “It was therefore not easy to remodel the course, especially as the contractor had to work under the strict supervision of Harradine Golf and environmentalists who ensured that the strict conditions demanded in the construction permits were followed throughout the construction period.” Seven new greens and 12 new tees have been built as part of the project. The contractor has stripped and stocked the topsoil over an area of nearly 70,000 square metres as well as cutting and filling a total volume of 36,000 cubic metres. They took the soil mixes – which they prepared – and the topsoil from the previously stocked positions and spread and fine-shaped it on to the remodelled subsurface. Drainage and irrigation systems have also been installed. “All the preliminary earthworks, irrigation and drainage had to be completed in 2018 before it snowed as the capping of the topsoil, soil mixes Photos: Harradine Golf Peter Harradine said “the logistics were quite daunting” for the contractors undertaking the Arosa remodel, due to the unpredictable weather and site conditions TEE BOX