Danish/Dutch design firm Spogárd & VanderVaart has completed the total renovation of the BackTee New course at the Himmerland resort in Denmark. The club is now in talks about bringing back the European Tour to Denmark for the first time in more than ten years.

“We came into the project as the greens had compacted and grass growth was nearly impossible on the putting surfaces,” said Philip Spogárd. “As the greens had to be re-constructed, we developed a masterplan to try and remove the many blind shots and hidden hazards. We suggested moving most greens slightly and by adding new tees and lowering selected parts of the fairways we have managed to remove practically all blind shots and make all hazards visible. It is basically a new golf course, which has already hosted its first major tournament, the BackTee Race to Himmerland Event on the ECCO Tour.”

The project started in summer 2011 and the course was closed down while the renovation went on. The construction was carried out by the international golf course contracting company Nelson & Vecchio. Agronomy advice was provided by Per Gundtoft.

“As a part of the project we also reshaped all bunkers to provide a much more unique look and help give the New course a character of its own – it is really like no other in Scandinavia. For a course like Himmerland, which is the leading resort in Scandinavia with more than 36.000 greenfee rounds a year, we felt it was important to create something here that is one-of-a-kind”, said Spogárd.

Besides the investment in the golf course the club has invested around €20 million in expanding the hotel with new spa and conference facilities.

Spogárd & VanderVaart has also just finished the extensive renovation of the 27 holes at Vejle Golf Club in Denmark.