Emstal

Formed in 1997 when an 18-hole layout was set within a 220-acre site on the east bank of the wandering River Ems, the course at Golfclub Emstal is a Tony Ristola design that’s characterised by large sandy waste areas on a number of its holes.

Measuring just short of 6,000 metres from the back markers, the course plays to a par of 72, with holes arranged in an out-and-back fashion. Water comes into play a few times, most noticeably on the par three 5th, where a creek crosses in front on the green, and on the par five 11th, when another water course cuts across the fairway. The river also runs along the left of the fairway on both the par four 7th and the par five 16th.

Highlight holes include the par threes at the 186-metre 5th and 171-metre 10th, with enormous sand traps to the right of the green on the former and to the left of the green on the latter. The right doglegging short par four 15th is another notable hole, protected at the front of the green by another large sand trap. The round then concludes next to the clubhouse with a rather benign par three, rated stroke index 18.