Jurmala (Championship)

Fashioned by Dirk Bouts, lead architect at Nicklaus Design, the 18-hole Championship course and 9-hole par three Academy layout at Jurmala Golf Club & Hotel were unveiled to the golfing public in late 2018.

Laid out over the top of a Pekka Wesaama-designed course, formerly known as Saliena Golf Club, the new layout at Jurmala bears little resemblance to the course the Finnish architect created in 2007.

“The initial thought by the client was to renovate the existing golf course,” said Bouts. “But it became clear to all that the only proper option was to completely redesign and rebuilt the entire golf course.

The site was very challenging as it was located below sea-level and large parts of the site consist of peat,” continued Bouts. “Proper drainage of the site and the golf course ended up being the main focus for the design and construction of the course. While keeping proper water management and drainage practices in mind, the layout has integrated the existing water bodies and added various new water features where required.

What I found particularly interesting was that with the right approach, the proper design and professional construction methods, a very average, newly constructed course was turned into a great golf facility, providing the highest standards to be enjoyed by all kinds of golfers alike.”