Course Review - Bro Hof Slot's Stadium Course & TPC Southwind

Five years in the making and the brainchild of perfectionist billionaire Bjorn Oras, Bro Hof Slot's Stadium Course is a visually spectacular parkland layout stretching over gently rolling terrain studded with rocky outcrops and meandering around lakes framed by mature woodland. The Nordea Masters host venue was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. on the shores of Lake Malaren which supplies the drinking water for Sweden's capital city Stockholm.

This stunning golf course was created with one ultimate goal in mind – to bring the Ryder Cup to Scandinavia. The signature holes on this 6950m par 72 future classic are both par 5's - the dogleg 550m 9th with water in play from the tee to the three-tiered green, and the 570m 15th again with water a constant threat all the way to a peninsular green. The round continues with a rarity in championship golf – back to back par 3's. The 16th is 218m of intimidation with the triangular shaped green jutting out into a lake, followed by the 137m 17th and its island green.

Bro Hof's finishing hole carries on the theme of water, water everywhere and is purpose built to showcase a grandstand finish, with Victory Valley designed to provide great spectator facilities and viewing angles for up to 75,000 people.

On the US PGA Tour TPC Southwind, just east of the Memphis, Tennessee city limits, hosts the FedEx St Jude Classic. The tournament was inaugurated in 1958 as the Memphis Open and witnessed the first ever" 59" when Al Geiberger stamped his name in the history books in 1977. In 1989 the event moved to its current site at TPC Southwind, an innovative design by golf course architect Ron Prichard with multiple Major Champions Fuzzy Zoeller and Hubert Green acting as player consultants.

This wonderfully picturesque and natural looking 6625m par 70 layout has undulating zoysia fairways and Bermuda greens, highlighted with numerous ponds streams and lakes. Featured holes are the 150m par 11th with its island green, the very tough 210m par 3 14th, and the spectacular 425m par 4 finishing hole with water down the entire left side of the fairway. Look for the course to be set up with fast greens and difficult pin placements as a warm-up for players competing in next week's US Open.

A Golf Weather
Editorial