List of Top 100 Courses in Continental Europe

[Ville Nurmi]

Mark,
As stated in an other thread, Esbjerg is really worth a visit!
It was a wonderful course! All three nines are really good. The Marbaek course has lots of heather. Really interesting greens. Really interesting par 4“s, 3th, 12th and a demanding finish.

We were supposed to play also on other courses, but settled to play 3 rounds at Esbjerg.

The course has a really traditional feel and it is only 30 years old. Somebody was really into it when designing the course. I have no information about the designer.

If you deside, its only 6 hours drive to Stockholm and then you can cross over to Finland with a night boat! When in Finland, I promise to show you around:)

RGDS
Ville

[TomSteenstrup]

Fanoe is pretty cool in its own weird way. It's on the West coast, I should point out. Ville's description is pretty accurate, but the course really grows on you after you learn the basic layout. The blinds shots are only blind the first time...

Esbjerg is very close by. A very good course. The Challenge Tour players raved about it, after being destroyed by the difficult layout and strong winds (+4 won it).
http://www.europeantour.com/Tournaments/leaderboard.sps?iTourNo=2005726

There a couple of pics of Fanų in this thread:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forums2/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=14604

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Thank you all so much for your views of Danish courses.  There is a fundamental problem: how do you persuade foreign visitors (or golf course raters [whoever they may be]) that some of the low countries' best courses are the equal of any in the USA.  I hope the remainder of Paul Turner's solo associations is A1.

[Sean Walsh]

Thanks for those bringing this thread to the top.  Also to Ville and Jari for the info.  Re-title it Scandinavian golf though because I have enjoyed reading about a subject that up until now I knew very little.  

I'll be in Europe for a whole year from Oct/Nov 06 and although I have many other plans I may just have to stretch them to include Finland/Sweden and I may just be able to sell it to my girlfriend  

[Ville Nurmi]

Sean,
Welcome to Finland!
DO come during summertime. It“s much nicer.
And when you come, contact a few days in advance.

Best regards,
Ville

[Philip Gawith]

Sean - I like a man who knows what is he doing for the 12 months starting 15 months time. Many of us lack visibility through next week.

Ville - I have just made my first trip to Finland, but business will now bring me your way more regularly over the next two months, possibly longer. Will you show me some golf courses? In the Finnair in-flight magazine they talk about some midnight golf tournament played over two of the better courses. Sounds like fun to play in.

Are there any good courses near Helsinki?

[Ville Nurmi]

Hello Philip,
of course I“ll show you around!
I think you will enjoy the golf.
Just let me know. My wife just started in a new workplace so she doesn“t have much holidays. But I do
My mobile is +358 500 539 202
And email. ville.nurmi(a)teleforum-ry.fi

Cheers,
Ville

[Jari Rasinkangas]

Philip,

See this link for golf in Finland: http://www.visitfinland.com/web/golf/index.nsf/(pages)/Welcome?OpenDocument

I am from northern Finland from Oulu.  See this link for northern golf in Finland: http://www.visitfinland.com/web/golf/index.nsf/(pages)/NorthernFinland?OpenDocument

If you want to experience the real midnight golf you have to do it in northern Finland.  It is only one hour flight to Oulu from Helsinki.

I would be happy to show you the northern courses.

Jari

[Philip Gawith]

Manyt thanks Jari - I hope I can take you up on your offer! Meanwhile, I think you owe it to the rest of us to post a picture or two of golf being played at Midnight. I have seen and read many things on this site, but not that!

[Jari Rasinkangas]

Hello Philip,

Here are some pics from Oulu taken between midnight and 1 am.  The sun is just below horizon.   Unfortunately there were nobody playing then.

This is a little teaser.  Short par 3.  You can have the flag even behind the triangle shaped rock on the back left of the green.


The same green from front right angle.


Another midnight view.


We had the Midnight Sun Tournament last Saturday.  36 holes through the night.  It starts at 4 pm and ends usually about 3 pm.  This year we had a group of Germans playing.  Maybe next year some GCA'ers.

Jari

[Philip Gawith]

Jari - I can't see the pictures. Very tantalising! Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me about posting pictures can advise on what you need to do differently.

I just love the idea of teeing off at 4.30 pm and playing 36 holes - I definitely think a GCA team should come to join you next year.

Maybe at the same time I can acquire a taste for reindeer meat and bear meat - though I somehow think reindeer may be easier.

[Jari Rasinkangas]

Philip,

I changed the hosting service for the pics.  Should work now.  Click the image for larger size.

Actually the bear meat has milder taste but I prefer reindeer meat.  It has very delicate darker taste of meat and you can cook it in many different ways.

Looks delicious, doesn't it.  



Jari