When viewed through the dark prism of the recession at its height (~ February 2009), the game of golf found itself at the receiving end of scathing criticism. The jaundiced eyes of certain circles became especially fixated on the Northern Trust sponsorship of the PGA event at Riviera that year. Of course, the sport endured such dubious skewering but still to this day, rarely do we read about how golf can be an agent for positive change. This month's Feature Interview with Rolf-Stephan Hansen, creator of the Budersand golf course on the Isle of Sylt, is one such story.
Just scroll through the photos in this month's Feature Interview and you'll appreciate the amazing transformation undertaken by R-Stephan on a joyless, abandoned military base. Golfers everywhere now have a compelling reason to head for majestic Sylt. Those who have come since the course opened in 2008, including Masa from Japan, all leave singing Budersand's praises.
And no wonder. The grass schemes are top notch, the hazards play as true hazards, the approach shots are nicely varied, etc. There are no EPA-type rules in place that mar a game as at Spanish Bay. All in all, this is the kind of thoughtful architecture rarely found in modern designs across Europe and it helps set a new standard (the hotel behind the eighteenth green is in a design class by itself as well).
Similar to Kidd at Bandon Dunes, R-Stephan has opened his design career along a large body of water. Nice work if you can get it (!)
but in this real life example, as R-Stephan explains, twenty-six buildings were demolished to make way for the golf course. Now, Budersand serves as a prime example of how golf can benefit the environment and the southern tip of the Isle of Sylt (doesn't the name sound straight out of mythology?!) exudes an idyllic charm for all to enjoy.
Golf's transformative powers are seen in full force at Budersand, a beautiful thing.
Cheers,