The Lübker Golf Resort, in Nimtofte, Denmark has made quite an impression on its European Challenge Tour debut as it hosts the ECCO Tour Championship presented by Thomas Björn and Mercedes Benz.
Tournament host Björn was among those leading the praise, referring to it as the best course he has played in Denmark, while European Challenge Tour Rankings leader Ricardo Santos said it is “probably the best course I’ve played all year”.
The 27-hole track, which was designed by renowned course architect Robert Trent Jones Jnr in three nine-hole loops named Sky, Forest and Sand, has received almost unanimous plaudits since its establishment in 2008, being named Best New International Course by Golf Magazine USA that year.
As it hosts its first Challenge Tour tournament this week, the parkland that is 50km from the city of Aarhus is beginning to find praise amongst some of Europe’s top up-and-coming golfers, as well as one notably experienced one.
Björn said: “I’m pleasantly surprised and I haven’t tried many of the newer courses in Denmark but this is the best course I’ve played in the country.
“Great thought has gone into the set-up, the bunkers are well-placed and the green areas are very challenging.”
The course’s head greenkeeper Derek Grendowicz said that while he is not surprised to hear such high praise, it comes as a great honour for him, his staff and his members.
“We always try and maintain tournament conditions or our members here at Lübker Golf Resort, but it’s great to see these talented golfers come and test it out for themselves and we are delighted with the reception it has received.”
The Scotsman has worked on some of the world’s greatest courses, including the Gleneagles King’s Course and PGA Centenary Course, the venue for The 2014 Ryder Cup, and he believes that Lübker will eventually be able to host a European Tour event.
“Everyone that comes here raves about this course and about how it is one of the best courses they’ve played so it’s no surprise that that is happening this week,” he continued.
“Overall, things like this are great for the club’s prolife and now we hope some day we can get the chance to hold a main European Tour tournament.”
