New heath-style course for Slovakia

9 September 2011

The site of Davison's third hole at Penati

English architect Jonathan Davison will start construction on an exciting new project in Slovakia early in the new year.

Davison’s course will round out the 36 hole Penati Golf Resort, located at Šajdíkove Humence, 80km from the Slovakian capital, Bratislava. The 205 hectare resort’s first course, a Nicklaus Design project, is approaching completion, with only one more hole left to seed this autumn. Polish contractor Golf Projekt is carrying out the works.

Davison, principal of Create Golf, has been working on the design of the second course while the Nicklaus project is being built. “My course will be a natural and rustic design to contrast the resort style of the Nicklaus course,” he told GCA. “The site is an architect’s dream with pure sand, pine trees and heather. It has a look similar to the heathlands around Surrey, and my inspiration for the design is taken direct from these classic courses. It’s rare to be able to build a golf course in pure sand, and this is my second in a row, after I recently completed Sobienie Krolewskie Golf and Country Club in Poland. Final plans have been submitted for the next course to the investors, and it has been agreed that construction will start early March 2012. We hope to issue some tenders over the next month, secure prices and nominate the contractor.” 

Davison’s course will also be shaped by the renowned Mick McShane, whose work includes the Castle Course and Kingsbarns in St Andrews.