St Leon-Rot (St Leon)

For the story on how SAP moved into the town of St Leon-Rot, 4,000 strong and led by CEO and single digit handicapper Dietmar Hopp, see the description of the slightly older Rot course. The second layout, naturally called the St Leon, was given to international name Dave Thomas, while local hero Hannes Schreiner was reduced to the role of advisor. The Englishman struck rather more gold, as he secured himself a follow-up job at Terre Blanche. Sean Connery owned that property, but didn't get anything done, so he sold it to Dietmar Hopp, who did.

It should therefore come as no surprise that the panel with the club presidents at St Leon-Rot still bears only one name and why not? Hopp has certainly realised his vision: the youth program is the foremost in Germany, top flight amateur events are regularly staged here and in 2015 the Solheim Cup was contested over the St Leon course.

Next to the two championship courses there is also an executive 9-holer and everything is somewhat intertwined, so there is a fair amount of criss-crossing going on. The signage is of course excellent, so no skimping on the details. Naturally this also applies to the impeccable services and maintenance standards. Interestingly, the whole area sits on top of a mighty layer of sand, which is up to 1,000 metres deep, but doesn't come up all the way to the surface. So it's parkland golf after all, albeit with good soil and great tree management. Legend has it that Hopp wasn't too fond of the tight and hilly courses in the region, so here is the antithesis.

The most interesting holes on the St Leon layout tend to be the ones played over water, which is certainly legitimate, but also raises questions of creativity. The bunkering, it has to be said, is generally less than fearsome and the elaborate mounding more glitter than gold. Coupled with huge and relatively flat greens, quick as they may be, the entire burden for making it difficult is placed on the sheer length of the layout.

However, golfers appreciating technically faultless construction and perfect presentation will not find this course lacking. As a level playing field for the competitive sport of golf and perhaps a place to feel a little like a high roller, this one ticks all the boxes. The more playful or even spiritual aspects of the game have probably not featured quite as largely in the founder's mind. But if you're looking for an end-to-end pampering in a very friendly atmosphere, make your way to St Leon-Rot Golf Club.

The atmosphere was not very friendly at the 2015 Solheim Cup at St Leon Rot. Controversy over a gimmie putt resulted in tears and the extraordinary conclusion to a fourball match. Europe’s Suzann Pettersen claimed she did not concede Alison Lee’s 15-inch putt after the American had picked up her ball, resulting in the US losing the fourball match. A furore ensued with the US Captain Juli Inkster saying: “I have never seen anything like it in my career. It’s just not right. You just don’t do that to your peers. It’s disrespectful.” Four-time major winner Laura Davies said: “I am disgusted. Suzann has let herself and her team down.” The sad incident galvanised the US team who overcame a four point deficit going into the singles to regain the Solheim Cup by one point: USA 14½ Europe 13½