Thomas Himmel has completed initial work at Golf-Club An der Pinnau in Quickborn, Germany, ahead of a full renovation of the club’s A and B nines.

The masterplan for the Pinnau, located north of Hamburg, was approved in November 2021, and focuses on renewing the 40-year-old greens on the two nines, plus work on bunkers and the irrigation system. The club’s C nine is not part of the renovation.

Contractor Brehmer Golfbau began construction for the pilot project in November 2022, on the 528-yard par-five third hole on the A nine. The hole is due to reopen in June with a new green and greenside lake, relocated fairway bunkers and a reworked fairway.

“The existing push-up and poa annua-covered greens are prone to illness and once they have been replaced with modern greens and grass, they should extend the playing season by two or three months a year, as well as being more resilient for the upcoming restrictions of pesticide use,” said Himmel.

All fairway bunkers on both A and B nines will be relocated so that they are more in play for modern driving distances. “Our work also includes a reduction of sand areas, which will reduce the club’s labour needs,” said Himmel.

Tree removal will be undertaken to address root and shade issues. “Due to a natural and high-water table close the Pinnau river and the existence of beautiful trees, the incorporation of water features, rather than large bunkers, is a key aspect of the redesign,” said Himmel.

The routing of the course remains the same, but tees will be added to make the holes more flexible, and hole lengths and tee angles will be adjusted to improve safety and make the course more player friendly. Two greens will be relocated due to shade issues and two relocated to enhance the design.

Construction is scheduled to begin on the remaining eight holes of the A nine in autumn 2023.