Golf course architect Thomas Himmel has extended Golfpark Weiherhof in Wadern, Germany, from 18 to 27 holes.

Weiherhof, originally built as a nine-hole layout in 1989, was acquired in 2010 and the club’s new owners modernised the clubhouse and other facilities and appointed Himmel to extend the course to 18 holes.

The club’s membership has since risen from 250 to 700, so the owner returned to Himmel in 2017 to extend the course by a further nine holes.

“Construction began in September 2017 with cutting of low-grade spruce tree monoculture over an area of six hectares, that were replaced on new land by high-class beech trees,” said Himmel. “Although sandy soils were present, there were great delays over winter 2017 due to consistent rainfall occurring.”

Because the parcel of land for new holes was relatively small, some holes of the existing front nine were reconfigured. A temporary course was made available for members to play during construction.

“The five new par-three holes – two of them from the original front nine – are quite different and they all play downhill so they offer a great feel,” said Himmel. “The rolling terrain has views into the far landscape and of the golf course. The course is not too long, with playability being most important to the client. There are wide fairways with light fescue rough alongside, and sweeping greens resembling the rolling terrain were designed.

“A very exciting part of the project was the transplantation of 22 specimen trees from the original course to create features and a ‘grown’ feeling – some of them are over 10 metres high.

“Apart from some large cuts in the earthmoving – up to seven metres to make the holes fit into the small area and resemble the original rolling terrain – there have been no extraordinary challenges.”

Construction was completed in September 2018, with shaping done by Mark Turner, fine shaping and seeding done by club staff and Future Golf, and irrigation completed by ISD Company.

The new nine is expected to open in early June 2019.