13 Photo: Jacob Sjoman Photo: RTJ II RTJ II to transform Iceland’s Oddur club Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects will reconfigure the 18-hole Oddur Golf Club near Reykjavik, Iceland, into a 27-hole facility. “This project grew out of the club’s ambition to evolve into one of Iceland’s premier destinations,” said Bruce Charlton, president of RTJ II. Mike Gorman, senior project architect at RTJ II, said: “The new holes sit on land that is ideally suited for golf. We’ll be moving very little earth, instead, we’ll be working carefully with the extraordinary lava rock formations that Mother Nature has given us. We’ve spent considerable time walking the site to identify the best holes, how they connect and to establish a routing that flows naturally, with very short green-to-tee connections. It will be golf that feels discovered rather than constructed. “The 11 new holes occupy dramatic and natural land. One part weaves through a lava canyon, offering both strategic interest and striking visuals. Another sits at the base of a lava-formed mountain, where the natural topography provides ideal golf ground. With minimal land movement, the holes will retain their rugged quality, playing into bowls and along ledges, ridges and all sorts of interesting terrain.” Sandy was on the classic links of Nairn, in the Highlands of Scotland, in the last issue. Originally laid out in the 1880s by Andrew Simpson, Nairn is often misattributed to his more famous namesake Archie. Old Tom Morris worked on the course only a few years later, as did James Braid. From 2018, Nairn was significantly renovated by Tom Mackenzie. We had a large number of correct answers, so congratulations to Czech golfer Jiri Humi, who was drawn from the hat and will receive a golf shirt. A more modern spot, in a less traditional golfing market, for Sandy this issue. For a chance to receive a GCA golf shirt, email the name of the course to gopher@golfcoursearchitecture.net for its excellent cold, shade and wear tolerance, low water use, early spring green up, late dormancy and turf quality. Tepeservi produced and distributed the Tahoma 31 bermuda, while Semillas Fitó has collaborated with both companies to promote and implement this variety. The course features Toro’s Lynx LSM system and Infinity sprinklers. Two Smart Hub units help to ensure efficient water management across the property. Read more about the course, including insight from ProGolf’s Benjamim Silva, on the GCA website. GOPHER WATCH
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