Ground has been broken on a redesign project at Österåkers Golf Club near Stockholm, Sweden, heralding Henrik Stenson’s first project in the golf course architecture space.

A detailed planning and tendering process saw a team from Henrik Stenson Golf Design work with club. The construction phase is now set to get underway, with SOL Golf appointed as the main contractor.

Stenson and his team will leave their mark on the club’s two 18-hole courses, as well as the nine-hole par three course and practice range. 

“It’s been fantastic for me to get a chance to work on a project like this. I know we will create two unique and challenging golf courses,” commented Stenson. “I know the whole team, from my own guys to agronomists and irrigation designers are putting their pride into delivering on the highest level just as I do in all level of my commitments.”

The project’s agronomists are Turfgrass Consultancy, while Irriplan has been appointed as the irrigation designer. Hunter Industries will supply the irrigation system, which will include more than 1,000 sprinklers on each of the 18-hole courses.

The project will be split into two phases to ensure the club’s members still have access to one of the 18-hole courses. The first phase is set to be completed in 2018, with the redesigned course set to reopen in the summer of 2019. This phase will also include the work to the club’s par three course and practice areas.