Golf Course Architecture - Issue 61, July 2020

Caspar Grauballe made progress on a bunker renovation project at Simon’s GC during Denmark’s lockdown S ociety has remembered what a great activity golf is. The opportunity for escape, exercise and social interaction has been a salvation in desperate times. And while many industries remained closed, the sport provided a glimmer of economic activity, not just through play, but also with the progress of construction work. The timing and extent of coronavirus impact has contrasted starkly from one country to another. Limitations imposed on everyday movement have depended on the severity of outbreaks and effectiveness of containment measures. Denmark was the second European country to introduce a lockdown. Only in Italy, the first nation on the continent to be hit hard by the virus, were restrictions imposed sooner. The swift response of the Danish government came as a surprise for many, including golf course architect Caspar Grauballe. He was in progress on a 27-hole bunker renovation project at Simon’s Golf Club in Kvistgård, about 25 miles north of Copenhagen. “All the planning for the project was done before we had even heard of Covid-19,” says Grauballe. Construction work began in April and was just getting under way when the lockdown was announced. Grauballe is based near the club, so was able to drive to the site and carry out supervision as normal. However, the shaper was unable to get to the site, so a change in approach was required. In addition to bunkers, the project plan also called for the creation of run- off areas around greens, expansion of tees, and upgrades to drainage and irrigation. The focus was shifted to 55