In The News
Stensballegaard Golf, Denmark
Stensballegaard is an old mansion from 1692, and has seen 1928 been in the possession of the noble family Ahlefeldt-Laurvig, who are the founders and owners of the golf course and club.
Construction began in April 2007 and by October same year almost 27 holes and a 6 holes par-3 course were in shape, where 9 holes and the practice range were grassed. Due to the tough Scandinavian winter, construction can't take place from November, so in early April this year, the final construction of the course will begin, and by May the next 9 holes and the par-3 course should be grassed. Though the golf season in Denmark is likewise only from April-October, the sun rises in the summer at 4 am, and sets at 11 pm.
In the spring 2009 the club house and 18 holes will be open to the members of this "private club", and the final 9 holes should be playable by the summer. Eventually the golf club will be open to green-fee players, and the family Ahlefeldt-Laurvig intends to host some international events.
Due to short golfing season, the members of Stensballegaard Golf can practice in the indoor facilities during the winter.
Rick Baril is the chief architect on Stensballegaard Golf and along with Superintendent Jim Shirley (from Les Bordes, France) and Shaper Gus Grantham, he has created something special. Count Ahlefeldt-Laurvig, founding chairman of Stensballegaard Golf: "von Hagge, Smelek and Baril have done a magnificent job at Stensballegaard, and it has been an outstanding pleasure to work closely with Rick Baril and in the process get to know both Robert von Hagge and Mike Smelek. Stensballegaard Golf will without doubt be one of Denmark's if not one of Europe's best golf course. We would at this stage unreservedly recommend this extraordinary team to any one valuing their capabilities".
Download more detailswww.stensballegaardgolf.dk (not in English yet)
Von Hagge, Smelek & Baril Ranked One of Top Course Designers in Mexico
The name von Hagge, Smelek and Baril stands right at the top of the list of designers of provocative golf courses sprinkled throughout Mexico. And, when the results of the 2006 Golf Course Survey of architects, developers, managers, course professionals and others poured in, they identified not only Mexico’s best courses, but also Mexico’s most distinguished golf course architects. Von Hagge, Smelek & Baril took top honors by designing 14 of the top 30 Mexico golf courses. We also captured the distinctive honor of being placed in the “Best Golf Course Architects in Mexico” category.
Atchafalaya at Idlewild Gains National Recognition
Featured in Golf Digest’s “2006 Best New” issue, the vHS&B designed Atchafalaya at Idlewild course gained national recognition as number 5 in best new public golf courses. Another distinctive tribute was the Audubon Golf Trail’s selection of the course as its newest member beginning January, 2007.
Following the two exclusive awards of 2007, the course captured the number 3 position in the 2007 Golfweek’s Best Courses in Louisiana, meeting the rating criteria with ease. Selection guidelines included such elements as “ease and intimacy of routing – the extent to which the sequence of holes follows natural contours and unfolds in an unforced manner.”
New Contracts
El Paraiso Golf Club, Mexico
Construction recently commenced on the vHS&B designed 18-hole golf course for El Paraíso Golf Club. The new residential country club development in Barra del Tordo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, is located about two hours drive north of the Gulf Coast City of Tampico. The property consists of rolling, strongly vegetated terrain and is blessed with numerous hard wood trees. The pristine San Rafael River surrounds three sides of the property and El Paraíso is only ten minutes from one of Mexico’s most beautiful unspoiled gulf coast beaches. This property was meant to have a golf course because the natural terrain has all the variables and desirable opportunities necessary for vHS&B to create a world-class presentation.
El Paraiso is an hour and ten minutes north of the City of Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Nestled at the base of the Maratines Mountain Range and fronting the beautiful San Gabriel River, this oasis of natural beauty dons a fitting name “The Paradise”. It offers 3.1 miles of river frontage for country town homes with access to the Gulf of Mexico. An exclusive boutique cabana Hotel with excellent service, horseback riding trails, and a championship 18 hole golf course are among several of the outstanding amenities offered at this naturally stunning sanctuary of beauty.
The practice range and the first nine holes are currently under construction and are due to be completed by the summer of 2008. Commencement of construction for the second nine holes will begin in tandem with the completion of the first nine.
Stillwater at Eagle Ridge Golf Community, Tennessee
Once again, vHS&B teams up with Cleveland, Ohio developers/builders D. J. Keehan and Nick Rossi (Eagle Ridge Investments, LLC), home of charismatic country music star Tanya Tucker. Tucker’s 600 acre property with its rolling hills and dramatic ravines are ideally suited for great golf course terrain. Located near the communities of Arrington and Franklin, Tennessee (about 20 minutes from Nashville) the mature forests punctuated with occasional meadows offer beautiful vistas to the surrounding farms and ranches. The large southern plantation style home at the top of a hill will be renovated to serve as the clubhouse in order to obtain a commanding view of the entire community.
The golf course design and rating attracts the serious golfer who wants to play an “upscale” course with country club amenities. The use of sand, water, and terrain variations will prove to deliver a memorable golf experience. Upon completion, the 18-hole golf course and practice academy will meander though a 500-unit subdivision of moderate to upscale single-family residences. Stillwater is expected to break ground in spring 2008.
Lyngbygaard Golf Center, Denmark
Construction began in April 2007 on the 27 hole Lyngbygaard Golf Center in Aarhus, Denmark. Aarhus is the second largest city in Denmark, located in Jutland. Golf’s growing popularity is creating a need for additional golf courses, especially near populated areas. Lyngbygaard Golf Center will be a private club with approximately 1,000 members.
The entitlement process has been particularly difficult in this highly protected area. The project manager, Flemming Vennekilde has been diligently working through approvals to keep the project on schedule.
During the summer work season, we were able to complete the practice range and 9 holes. This winter clearing and earthmoving operations will continue (weather permitting) on the second part of the project. The schedule is to complete all 27 holes by the fall of 2008.
Anfi Tauro, Gran Canaria, Spain
Anfi Tauro Golf Course has been a monumental undertaking. It has been more than 10 years since we were commissioned to design this golf course. The brain child of renowned Norwegian industrialist Byorn Lyng, Anfi Tauro GC is considered the most ambitious golf course project ever developed in Europe, requiring earthmoving in excess of 3 million cubic meters. A significant portion of the site was comprised of rock, and a complex earthmoving and soil management program was required to create the golf course and, according to Sr. Lyng’s wishes, provide ocean views to every dwelling unit.
The golf course is the centerpiece of a 3,000 unit resort, the largest master planned resort in Gran Canaria. When the entire project is complete, there will be three hotels, a marina, commercial center, and 500 single family homes.
Any undertaking lasting more than a decade, has many high points and low points. Sr. Lyng was able to appreciate most of the golf course before passing away in October 2006. His ambitious plan and vision for Anfi Tauro has become the charge of his heirs, associates and business partners—it is rewarding to see this dream play out. The first nine holes of the championship golf course opened for play Nov. 3, 2006. The second nine holes are scheduled to open for play sometime in December 2007.