Gut Kaden (B & C)

Situated in the north of Germany, the original 18-hole course at Gut Karden was designed by Frank Pennink, opening shortly after the architect died in 1984. A further 9 holes were added by Karl Grohs in the early 1990s, giving the club a magnificent 27-hole golf complex.

Set in extensive grounds, with an old manor house as a grand clubhouse, the three nines at Gut Kaden are named – in somewhat uninspiring fashion – A, B and C. For tournament play, the B and C course is used, which is hardly surprising when you consider the A nine measures less than 3,000 yards, due in large part to having three par threes on that loop.

Water comes into play at most of the holes on the front nine (the newer, Grohs-designed C circuit) and this stretch ends with the most challenging hole on the course, a right dogleg played to an island green. On the back nine, water again plays a part at holes 11, 13 and 14. The home hole is tough – a downhill, 440-yard, doglegged par four with trees all the way down the left to hinder long hitters cutting the corner.

After Deutsche Bank took over sponsorship of the European Players Championship in 1995, the event was held here during nine of the seasons up until 2007 (Tiger’s three tournament triumphs came when the competition was played at St Leon Rot) and winners at Gut Kaden have included Bernhard Langer, Lee Westwood (twice) and Padraig Harrington.