Golf Course Architecture: Issue 57 - July 2019

61 Lundin to create a rolling landscape on the previously flat area where most of the stadium course is routed. That area now features four large lakes, lined with wooden bulkheads, giving a similar aesthetic as stadium designs like Le Golf National or TPC Sawgrass (which Stenson listed among his favourites when interviewed for our January 2019 issue). Österåker’s spectator mounding isn’t as huge though, so the course doesn’t feel stark and empty when there are no crowds. Hazards have been designed to be visible – imposing, even – so golfers can plot their hole strategy from the outset. A desire for fairness means greens are intentionally not crowned to fall away into the surrounds – “if you hit the green, your ball has a good chance of staying on it,” says Lundin. This doesn’t mean greens are devoid of interest; there is plenty of contour – most memorably on the par- five thirteenth, where the shallow but wide green has three tumbling tiers. Many who reach the green in two will still walk away with a par. White sand bunkers, although fairly restrained in number, are deep and punishing. As with the lakes, golfers are dared to flirt with danger to achieve the best line to the green. The designers have created a relatively gentle opening to prepare golfers for the test ahead. But the warm-up is soon over as holes three to six all have water in play, as do seven more on the round. Individual holes are dramatic and memorable. And incredibly difficult, you might think. But choose appropriate tees and it is great fun and very playable. The fairways are wide and provide multiple options of attack – you don’t have to take on risk if your game is not up to it. The average With the first course (right section of image) and practice facilities now complete, Österåker’s attention will turn to the redesign of its Västerled layout, which will take on the character of a “weather-beaten Scottish links” Image: HSGD