Golf Course Architecture: Issue 57 - July 2019

36 Progolf Construction, a Portuguese company, has completed construction work on Greg Letsche’s redesign of Golf Club Pfalz in the south-west German town of Neustadt. Benjamim da Silva, Progolf ’s partner, with Antonio and Marco Miranda oversaw construction, which began in August 2018, and included the building of new green complexes; new tees, fairways and bunkers; and the extension of water features. Director of golf Neil Lubbock brought Progolf in after meeting them at West Cliffs in Portugal. “He has a long relationship with the club and his vision was to turn Pfalz into one of the best golf courses in Germany,” said da Silva. The project has seen 62 new bunkers and 90 new tees, while some bunkers have been removed. Letsche has also designed 18 entirely new green complexes. “I am excited for players to see the new greens and bunker design, which turns holes and gives movement to the course,” said da Silva. “The main layout change is the tenth, now an interesting and challenging par four instead of a par five. The eleventh and twelfth have been opened up with interesting water and green concepts. It is now a great course, with new tees playable for all ages and standards.” Work also includes the shaping of 18 new fairways and a full seeding program for fairways, tees, surrounds, approaches and greens. Drainage has been renovated or added in existing low-lying areas, bunkers and green complexes. All water features, including the wooden walls on existing and new burns and the three lakes, have either been extended or built. “The main challenges were the drainage problems on the back nine,” said da Silva. “We had to excavate lakes with the groundwater one metre below ground level, build wooden walls, take out and rebuild 18 green complexes with drainage, and seeding all in four months. We overcame that with great teamwork between the project manager, our team, the club superintendent, his team and finally the club’s committee.” Progolf completes Letsche redesign at Pfalz TEE BOX Photo: Karl Hoffman Photography