Interviews

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Richard Humphreys
/ Categories: News

Leitershofen to reopen next month following renovation

The nine-hole Golf Club Leitershofen near Augsburg, Germany, will reopen next month following renovation work by golf course architect Thomas Himmel.

“The brief was to renovate the old and unsatisfying greens in order to enhance the variety and strategy, which led to a complete redesign,” said Himmel. “An important point for this project was to create nine visually different and strategic green complexes, as all greens are played twice during a round of 18.”

The course, originally known as Bavarian Hills, was used by the US Army when they were stationed in the area during the 1980s.

The project has also seen the addition of a new lake alongside the first and sixth greens and the rethinking of all bunkers – some have been removed, some relocated, and some new ones have been added.

“In late 2017 the club decided to renovate their greens and think over the whole playing strategy as the hazards were not up-to-date anymore. We got the job in early 2018 following a design competition,” said Himmel.

“As the routing of the course is fine and diverse, no major changes were needed. Some trees had to be taken out for better playability and shade control.

“I am excited for golfers to see the gentle slopes that have been added, the new sectors for diverse pin positions, the new lake as a visual effect, and the more visible bunkers compared to the old, flattish ones.”

Himmel says the work was completed on a relatively low budget. “This successful renovation and redesign showed what could be done with gentle but noticeable changes as the course had a very useful basic design with nice tree-lined holes,” said Himmel. “Due to its proximity to the town centre of Augsburg, the club has plenty of members and a solid financial structure which led to a budget out of the club’s reserves.”

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Slideshow HTML
  • Leitershofen

    Golf Club Leitershofen is to reopen next month following a renovation by Thomas Himmel

  • Leitershofen

    Bunkering on the course has been completely overhauled, with sand more visible

  • Leitershofen

    All greens have been renovated, and a new lake has been built

  • Leitershofen

    “I am excited for golfers to see the gentle slopes that have been added,” said Himmel

Richard Humphreys

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