Hamburg Oberalster 2014
Hamburg Oberalster 2014
Designing Golf Club Hamburg Oberalster was a test, primarily because the majority of the site was flat and drainage was a real challenge. Lakes and streams were planned to move water through the property, while giving players a fair but and rewarding challenge on every hole. We also focused on building high-quality practice facilities, some of the best in the north of Germany.
During the design phase of the WinstonLinks and the new practice facilities at WinstonGolf, we needed to change the 1st hole of the WinstonOpen course—a great layout by H. Rengstorf that originally opened in 2000. I was able to move the hole, making it into a reachable par 5 playing toward an existing lake. To protect the green, we created a new water feature that sits about 3 meters higher than the lake itself, though from the fairway it gives the illusion of being one single body of water.
Deinste holds a special place in my career as my first solo project in Germany. I will always be grateful to the owners, Jan Steffens and Hinrich Hauschild, for trusting me with the opportunity to showcase my abilities. Together with the golf school, the 18 holes have become a true hidden gem in the northern German golf scene. I am proud to be an honorary member there and a 5- time Club Champion.
Just moments from the Baltic Sea beaches of Klaipeda, the National Golf Resort is a spectacular layout carved into a scenic river valley. Panorama views across the property are nothing short of stunning, defined by waves of golden fescue grass that ripple in the breeze. The crown jewel of the experience is the view from the clubhouse patio, looking down upon the signature 18th green. Ingeniously shaped like the map of Lithuania, this island green gives the National Golf Resort its proud name and an unforgettable finish.
Currently ranked number 37 among Germany’s Top 50 courses, Gut Apeldör boasts a 27-hole layout of true international standard. Despite being tucked away in a quiet corner of Schleswig-Holstein, the resort owes its existence to the visionary Dieter Worms—undoubtedly the most brilliant marketing mind I have ever met. Out of an old farm, he created an exceptional destination featuring a beautiful clubhouse (originally a chicken coop), a 42-room hotel and wellness facility (once a hog barn), and first-class practice facilities. While location is traditionally a major contributor to a golf course's success, working alongside Dieter on this project taught me a different lesson: if you create something truly exceptional and make people feel special, they will come. Thank you Dieter Worms!