LATEST
NEWS

Städler completes greens renovation at GC Hannover
Richard Humphreys
/ Categories: News

Städler completes greens renovation at GC Hannover

Städler Golf Courses has overseen a greens renovation at Golfclub Hannover in Germany.

The focus of the renovation – which was overseen by project architects Christoph Städler and Philipp Fleischhauer – was to renew green complexes and expand the water supply.

Work began in November 2018, on the course originally designed by Dr Bernhard von Limburger. “Our planning did not only include the renewal of the actual green areas, but also the extensive redesign of all the surrounding areas,” said Städler. “In general, the greens were shaped relatively softly, but through changing slopes and clearly distinguishable green sectors, the green complexes are now much more varied and aesthetically more appealing than before.”

The club made use of sand from their own golf site for the construction of the greens, including the rootzone layer.

“This was unavoidable because the only access road to the golf course leads through an open-air recreational site where no permit would have been granted for the transport of several hundred sand laden trucks,” said Städler. “Therefore, suitable sand had to be taken from the golf course site, which fortunately was available.

“The most suitable areas for exploitation were determined by means of several test drillings. The sand was excavated to a depth of four metres and used for the construction of the new green complexes. If the sand had to be bought, as is usual with other golf courses, the construction costs would have been approximately €200,000 higher. By using its own sand and avoiding environmentally damaging supplies, this renovation measure was a prime example of sustainability.

“As a welcome by-product of the sand extraction, a storage lake for the irrigation water was created,” continued Städler. “This is an extremely important measure for the water supply of the golf course – and thus for the quality of the essential playing areas. Until then, the irrigation water from wells had been fed directly into the irrigation system which was detrimental to the health of the grasses due to the low temperature of the groundwater. Even more important, however, was the fact that the groundwater’s heavy iron content could be reduced to a small, innoxious residual amount by first pumping the water over a stone-covered settling basin before it enters the storage lake. There, most of the iron is deposited by binding it with atmospheric oxygen, which demonstrably reduces the remaining iron content in the pond to a harmless level.”

The construction of a storage lake shortened the twelfth hole to a short driveable par four. “Since the green’s right and rear edges run directly along the lake embankment, the seduction to attack the green with the tee shot is associated with a high risk for long-hitters,” said Städler. “The result is an attractive risk-reward hole – a design type that the course has lacked so far and thus will further enhance the course’s strong strategic values.

“As far as the modelling of the greens is concerned, it should be noted that it was by no means our aim to significantly change the original character of the ‘Limburger’ greens and to make the game more difficult by modelling the green surfaces too strongly.

“The renovation is also an essential measure to safeguard the attractiveness of the course,” continued Städler. “This will facilitate the recruitment of new members and will have a stronger binding effect on existing members. It will certainly have a positive influence on the economic situation of the club and its competitiveness in the regional golf market.”

Construction was completed in late August ahead of the greens being back in play for the 2020 season.

This article includes material that first appeared in the October 2019 issue of Golf Course Architecture. For a printed subscription or free digital edition, please visit our subscriptions page.

Previous Article First nine at Altaona set to open in November
Next Article TGR Design to create new putting courses for PopStroke
Print
2648 Rate this article:
No rating
Richard Humphreys

Richard HumphreysRichard Humphreys

Other posts by Richard Humphreys
Contact author

Contact author

x
Spring 2025 issue of ASGCA’s By Design magazine is out now
Magazine, News | Fri 14 Mar, 2025

Spring 2025 issue of ASGCA’s By Design magazine is out now

New issue asks whether the golf boom has led to an increase in municipal golf investment

The January 2025 issue of Golf Course Architecture is out now!
Magazine, News | Fri 17 Jan, 2025

The January 2025 issue of Golf Course Architecture is out now!

Projects covered include Golf Club Föhr, Brautarholt, Cabot Citrus Farms, Somabay and more

FEATURE
ARTICLES

Jim Wagner and Rusty Mercer discuss Kinsale design and build
Kinsale Golf Club
Interview | Richard Humphreys

Jim Wagner and Rusty Mercer discuss Kinsale design and build

Florida course is a tribute to the Golden Age designs of Raynor and Macdonald

Are bunkers getting too pretty for their own good?
Larry Lambrecht
Feature | Adam Lawrence

Are bunkers getting too pretty for their own good?

Is the beauty of bunkering being over-emphasised at the expense of its function, asks Adam Lawrence

Good Read: The Prairie Raynor
Grant Books Ltd
Good Read | John Moran and Rand Jerris

Good Read: The Prairie Raynor

John Moran and Rand Jerris share insight into their book about Seth Raynor’s design at Chicago Golf Club

Vinpearl Golf Léman: New pearls for Vietnam
Vinpearl Golf Leman
Report | Richard Humphreys

Vinpearl Golf Léman: New pearls for Vietnam

The first of two Golfplan-designed courses at club near Ho Chi Minh City has opened for play

Seven Canyons: Desert drama
Brad Klein
Report | Bradley Klein

Seven Canyons: Desert drama

Brad Klein reports on a Phil Smith Design renovation in Sedona, Arizona

Golf Club Föhr: Reinvented for a new century
Stefan von Stengel
On site | Adam Lawrence

Golf Club Föhr: Reinvented for a new century

Adam Lawrence reports on a visit to the far north of Germany where Christian Althaus has completely rebuilt the 27-hole course over the last 15 years

Nauka Nayarit: Welcome to the jungle
Harris Kalinka
Report | Richard Humphreys

Nauka Nayarit: Welcome to the jungle

Ten holes of a new Fazio Design course on Mexico’s Pacific coast have opened for play

Brautarholt: Oceanic connection
Tony Ristola
On site | Adam Lawrence

Brautarholt: Oceanic connection

One of the world’s best 12-hole courses is being extended to 18 by architect Tony Ristola. Adam Lawrence reports from Iceland and says he expects the finished course to make quite a splash

The Club at Quail Ridge: Delivering the dramatic
Evan Schiller
Report | Richard Humphreys

The Club at Quail Ridge: Delivering the dramatic

Florida club unveils results of North course redesign, completed by Fry/Straka and NMP Golf Construction

Addison Reserve: Return on investment
Gideon Heller
Report | Toby Ingleton

Addison Reserve: Return on investment

One of southeast Florida’s premier residential communities has completed a project to redesign its three nines of golf

Black Diamond Ranch: Creating a new star
Tripp Davis
Report | Richard Humphreys

Black Diamond Ranch: Creating a new star

Tripp Davis updates bunker strategy and introduces subtle movement to greens at Black Diamond’s Ranch course

Gopher Watch Competition – January 2025
Gopher Watch, News | Fri 17 Jan, 2025

Gopher Watch Competition – January 2025

Which course has Sandy the gopher visited this month?

MOST
POPULAR

FEATURED
BUSINESSES