Krause Golf Design has begun the construction of the Golf Club Hamburg-Oberalster in Germany.

Work is ongoing at the 105-hectare site approximately 25 minutes from Hamburg Airport, and the 18-hole member course is scheduled to open to the public in the spring of 2015.

David Krause told GCA: “The development of the course is interesting because the surface the property had 30-80 cm of peat moss like topsoil over 70 per cent of the area. However, below it was a beautiful pure sand base. Through the use of a deep plough mounted on the back of a bulldozer we were able to mix the sand below from a depth of up to 1.4 metres with the peat soil on the surface, creating a growing medium similar to that used in green construction.”

The site,which was previously agricultural land and pastureland, has tracts of mature oak trees along its perimeter, and a large wetland sanctuary will be enhanced and protected within the new course. Golf construction specialist Stange and Jöhnck is the principal contractor for the project.

“The golf course is going to be highlighted by strong bunker features with heather and fescue grasses along its perimeters,” said Krause. “Wetlands and marshes are located around tees and walkways between greens and tees, and large waste areas with the beautiful light sand brought to the surface will be highlighted again with fescues.”

The course will also feature a two hectare lake, with the finishing holes playing across the water to greens situated in front of the clubhouse.

Krause said that the course is planned as a members’ club, with no green fee or tournament play. With work set to be completed in 2014 and a period of growing in, the grand open is set for spring 2015.