Caspar Grauballe completes renovation project at Lillebælt

Caspar Bay Grauballe’s renovation of Lillebælt has given the course “a more classical seaside look”
Bunkers have been transformed throughout the course, while reducing the total sand area by 50 percent
The fourteenth is one of two holes on the course with a new green

By Toby Ingleton

Thu 31 May, 2018

Golf course architect Caspar Grauballe has completed a renovation project at Lillebælt Golf Club in Middelfart, Denmark, at the northwest tip of the island of Funen.

The work, completed in time for the club’s 25th anniversary in summer 2018, includes two new greens, at the eleventh and fourteenth, several tees, new contouring around existing greens and new bunkering throughout the course.

“I was invited to create a development plan for the course which would eliminate some safety issues, and at the same time the club wanted to make the course more attractive to members and guests in consideration of the competitive market,” said Grauballe.

The architect’s plan was to give the golf course “a more classical seaside look”, achieved through the transformation of bunkers and contouring around the greens. “The course now reflects the site much better,” said Grauballe.

The fairway on the fifteenth hole was previously “bombarded” with golf balls from the driving range, and was also close to a public area in the nearby marina. Caspar shortened the hole to a par three, using the existing green but approaching from a different angle. A land exchange with the marina eliminated issues with the public area. The fourteenth was extended with a new green to make an easy transition to the new fifteenth tees. Tees on the fourteenth were relocated for more space around the clubhouse and eighteenth fairway.

The renovation project has also improved sustainability, by reducing the number of bunkers and total sand area by more than 50 per cent.

“The result has been a complete transformation of the course with a high emphasis on strategy and fairness,” said Grauballe.

Construction work was done by Scottish firm Greenmakers by Nelson&Vecchio and the club is thrilled with the results. Club chairman Jørgen Jæger said: “Caspar’s background of working with many classical courses shows in the development of our course at Lillebælt. We are very proud of the result and it is exciting to play the course as it feels like a new golf course. We look forward to celebrating our anniversary on a great course and feel ready for the next 25 years.”