Ålands Golfklubb - Slottsbanan (Castle)

Åland Golf Club occupies a stunning peninsula location between two inlets at Kastelholm in the Åland Islands, an autonomous Swedish-speaking region of Finland situated in the Baltic Sea.

Founded in 1975 and opened in 1983 with an ambitious vision that defied its remote archipelago setting, the club soon built two complete 18-hole layouts from the outset alongside medieval Kastelholm Castle. The flagship Slottsbanan course (Castle course) underwent a transformative €2,5 million renovation between 2018 and 2020, emerging as one of Finland’s finest golf courses.

Why Play Åland Golf Club?

Experience Denmark’s Philip Spogárd’s acclaimed 2020 redesign of Slottsbanan, which integrates Slottssundet Bay into nearly every hole whilst offering views of 14th-century Kastelholm Castle. The course ranked first amongst 150 Finnish layouts in 2023 and hosted the Ladies European Tour in 2022.

History of Åland Golf Club

Despite serving fewer than 30,000 residents across the 6,500-island archipelago, the club’s founders established first 9 holes in 1983, completed by another 9 holes in 1988. In 1997, Ålands Golf Club had finished the second golf course, Kungsbanan (King’s course). Swedish architect Jan Sederholm designed both the Castle course and King’s course on former royal hunting grounds where King Gustav Vasa once pursued elk. Sederholm, who created notable Nordic layouts including Himmerland in Denmark and Sarfvik in Finland, configured Castle course as a 6,000-metre parkland course with an unusual par-72 composition: Eight par-4s, five par-5s, and five par-3s.

Castle course closed in September 2018 for comprehensive reconstruction, reopening in summer 2020 after Danish architect Philip Spogárd of Spogárd & VanderVaart reimagined the routing. Spogárd recommended maximising the strategic value of Slottssundet Bay, which the original layout underutilised despite running alongside it. The renovation introduced water carries on multiple holes, most notably the 9th and 10th , alongside Slottssundet where players can attempt direct lines across the bay toward Kastelholm Castle to reduce approach distances.

The rebuilt course achieved immediate recognition. Adam Lawrence of Golf Course Architecture magazine notes the renovation represents a significant achievement for Spogárd and partner Michiel van der Vaart, calling it potentially “among the best in Europe”.

Course Layout & Playing Experience

The par-72 championship layout measures 5,836 metres (6,380 yards) from the back tees.

Spogárd’s 2020 renovation ensured the Baltic Sea appears from all 18 holes, creating constant visual and strategic engagement with water. The parkland design features elevated tees overlooking Slottssundet Bay and undulating greens averaging substantial size for varied pin positions. Holes 9 and 10 exemplify the modern routing philosophy: both run parallel to the bay with optional carries across water that reward precision with advantageous approach angles. The 10th has been ranked as one of Europe’s finest par-4s for its combination of risk-reward options, water hazard, and Kastelholm Castle backdrop. Two par 3-holes occupy new ground from the 1983 original, demonstrating how the renovation enhanced rather than replaced Sederholm’s fundamental concept whilst introducing tactical variety throughout.

Notable Architectural Features on Castle course

The renovation repositioned numerous greens and tees to optimise water views whilst introducing risk-reward options absent from Sederholm’s original design. Spogárd achieved his mandate to increase tactical variety without massive earthworks, a sustainable approach that respected the site’s natural characteristics whilst improving playing values. Greens feature sophisticated contouring with run-off areas and strategic bunkering that create multiple approach shot options based on pin positions and wind conditions.

Championship History

Tournament Year Champion Åland 100 Ladies Open by Ålandsbanken 2022 Anne-Charlotte Mora

The Ladies European Tour visited Slottsbanan in September 2022 for the inaugural Åland 100 Ladies Open, contested over three days for a €250,000 prize fund. France’s Anne-Charlotte Mora claimed her maiden LET victory, whilst numerous competitors praised Slottsbanan as amongst the finest courses they’d played throughout the 2022 season. The tournament validated Spogárd’s redesign and established the course as championship-standard less than two years after reopening.

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Travel & Planning

Åland offers concentrated golf opportunities across its compact island geography:

Within 30km (19 miles): Eckerö Golf (40 minutes west) provides an 18-hole links-style layout through agricultural landscape and pine forest, creating same-day multi-course itineraries.

Mariehamn serves as the optimal accommodation base, positioned 20 minutes from Ålands Golf Club and 30 minutes from Eckerö Golf. The archipelago’s modest 30,000 population concentrates amenities in the capital, including hotels, restaurants showcasing local seafood, and maritime museums.

Practical Planning

The golf season extends May through October, considerably longer than comparable latitudes due to maritime climate moderation. The Baltic Sea warms the islands in autumn, maintaining green quality into late season whilst spring arrives earlier than mainland Finland.

Summer months (June-August) offer extended daylight hours characteristic of Nordic locations but require booking 3-6 months ahead, particularly for ferry crossings.

Accommodation options near the course include Kulebo Guest Houses, Klingbergs Stugor cottages and Kastelholms Gästhem guesthouse, whilst Mariehamn hotels provide additional luxury options. HavsVidden Resort, overlooking an unbroken sea horizon, is situated about 30 minutes from Kastelholm in the northern parts of the main island.

The clubhouse features changing rooms, saunas, restaurant emphasising local fish dishes and pro shop.

Transport Information ✈️

Mariehamn Airport: 23km (14 miles), approximately 20 minutes driving via Route 1. The airport offers connections to Helsinki (30 minutes), Stockholm (40 minutes), and Turku (25 minutes) through Finnair and regional carriers. Major car rental facilities operate at the airport with collection available at harbour or terminal.

Ferry Services: Represent the primary access method for travelling golfers. Viking Line and Eckerö Linjen operate daily services from Stockholm (5 hours), Grisslehamn (2 hours) and Turku (4.25 hours). Ferry bookings require 2-3 months advance planning during peak summer periods. The vessels feature restaurants, duty-free shopping, and comfortable facilities that transform transit into experience.
Ground Transport: Route 1 provides direct access from Mariehamn. Jomala Taxi, Mariehamns Taxi and Taxibolaget 22100 service the islands, whilst rental cars through Rundbergs Bil & Service enable independent exploration.

Seasonal Timing

Spring (May-June): Course opening coincides with extended daylight hours and moderate temperatures. Advance ferry bookings essential as holiday traffic increases.

Summer (July-August): Peak season delivers 18+ hours of daylight but demands earliest possible booking. Green fees reach maximum levels whilst course conditioning peaks.
Autumn (September-October): Maritime climate extends playing season with mild conditions and reduced visitor numbers. Ferry schedules reduce in October.
Winter (November-April): Course closes during dormancy period typical of Nordic latitudes.

Åland Golf Club: The Verdict

Philip Spogárd’s sensitive renovation transformed Jan Sederholm’s 1983 design into Finland’s premier golf course by amplifying the site’s inherent waterside characteristics rather than imposing external concepts. The integration of Slottssundet Bay across the routing, combined with Kastelholm Castle views and Ladies European Tour validation, distinguishes Slottsbanan amongst Nordic golf destinations. Kungsbanan provides compelling forest golf for multi-day itineraries, whilst Prinsessan offers quality short-game practice. The ferry journey and island setting create genuine separation from mainland routines for memorable golf holidays.