European Golf Design has overcome planning and environmental issues in successfully completing a major development in Schloss Blucher, Germany.
This summer will see the opening of a project which includes 3 18-hole courses, a 9-hole short course and an extensive training and practice area. The development is designed around a number of wetlands and woods and EGD had to adhere to strict guidelines set by the local planning authorities. The designers also worked closely with landscape architects, ecologists and local communities to ensure that there was as little resistance to the project as possible.
Commenting on the project EGD’s Managing Director, Jeremy Slessor, said, “When designing a course around natural features such as trees and water you must ensure that you maximise the environmental features and minimise the course’s impact on those features.
During this project we developed an excellent working relationship with the relevant authorities and because of this everyone has been delighted with the resulting courses. This project is an example of how golf courses can compliment rather than damage the natural landscape.”
The Schloss course is 7,000 yards and has been designed to championship specifications. The second 18-hole course, at 6,800 yards, is challenging for the more experienced player while the third is suitable for the casual player.
The courses are part of a resort development from Hochtief which includes three hotels from Radisson-SAS, Robinson Hotels and Kimpinski. Other facilities will include a tennis centre, spa, boating lake, health centre and nature trail.