Kolding Golf Club

As a result of mounting maintenance problems, especially of the greens, Kolding Golf Club took the decision in 2004 that all 18 greens should be reconstructed over a 2-year period.

The original greens had been built on clay and, with the use of fertilizer and pesticides attracting growing awareness, it was simply not possible to maintain any satisfactory quality on the greens. While engaged in the reconstruction of the greens, the club seized the opportunity to give the course a more comprehensive face-lift by both enhancing the aesthetics and playing strategy of the course.

After producing a report that shed light on the state of the course and highlighted the immediate need for action, the club decided on its priorities and detailed plans were drawn up for all 18-greens and their surrounds. Tees and fairway bunkers were to be rebuilt according to general design details while their final positioning, height and dimensions were staked out by a team consisting of the contractor’s site manager, the club’s course manager and golf architect Line Mortensen.

During remodelling, emphasis was put on maintaining the original scale of the course and in respecting its age. The course is from 1933 and has a compact layout with shortish holes so the new features should not appear to dominate. Further investigation proved that it would not be possible to lengthen the course but that there was every chance of tightening up the playing strategy on many of the holes as well as a strong likelihood of aesthetically enhancing the course. 

After 2-years of renovation with a hard working club staff, the remodelled parts of the course are again in play and the great exertions of all have paid off successfully in a fine result.

Quote from Jørgen Clausen, Chairman of the Course Committee:

“In 2004, Kolding Golf Club decided to remodel all our tees, bunkers and greens in accordance with the methods prescribed by the American USGA. Furthermore, we decided not only to remodel the existing areas but also to include a general tightening up of our golf holes for the player.

We were looking for a bright and talented golf course architect who could help us carry out this work and after some searching, we decided to choose Line Mortensen. Line began her work with much humility and respect for our beautiful old course and despite the limited amount of space available, she has tightened up the course in an invigorating manner – exactly as we wanted. We really feel as if we have a new and revitalized golf course.

The Course Committee, and obviously myself in particular, have had a good sparring partner and an exemplary collaboration with Line. From the very start, she showed a good grasp of the subject matter and has worked systematically and with competence throughout the project. Line has in every way lived up to our remodelling expectations and in our Course Committee we have received many positive comments from our members and guests. Her drawings are simply first class and she left us with some excellent documentation which we will use in our future work on the course.”