The Hofgut Georgenthal hotel and resort, in the German state of Hesse, has opened its new golf course, which was designed by architect Christian Althaus and constructed by contractor Josef Pötter Golf.

Located around 40km west of Frankfurt, the Georgenthal course has been developed by hotel owner Brita Hankammer, whose father created the Brita water filter (and named it after his daughter). And water was a major issue in the creation of the Georgenthal golf course, as German regulations banned the extraction of water from wells on the site, so Althaus, along with irrigation supplier Perrot Regnerbau, had to oversee the construction of an 8km long pipeline to bring water to the property. Scottish consultant Ian Macmillan MG oversaw the grow-in, which was pesticide and fungicide free.

Archaeology was also an issue at Georgenthal, as the site is crossed by the remain of the Limes Germanicus, the ancient line of fortifications that divided the Roman empire from the barbarian Germanic tribes.

Although the property is tight, at 50 hectares, Althaus’s design includes a three hole par three course, a full size driving range, and a Himalayas-style practice putting green.