Helsinki

Helsinki is a city with a fine modern sporting tradition, hosting the World Athletics Championships in 1983 and 2005, as well as the summer Olympics back in 1952. The capital’s golfing pedigree goes back even further, to 1932 in fact, when Helsinki Golf Club became the first to open a course in all of Finland.

Set out within the grounds of Tali Manor, the course is routed over very pleasant parkland that surrounds the 19th century manor house turned latter day clubhouse. Owned by the city fathers, the course is a treasured green sporting oasis on the northwestern edge of Helsinki.

Fairways are largely flat and framed by mature trees whilst water, in the form of a stream, comes into play at three holes (to great effect at the par four, 14th in front of the green). And just when you think the round is coming to a quiet end, holes 17 and 18 are rated as stroke index 1 and two on the scorecard so gird your golfing loins at the 16th!

Tali, is it’s known locally, has held many national amateur and professional events over the years and, in more recent times, it was the venue for the Finnair Masters event on the Ladies European Tour.