There are no weak holes
“There are no weak links, no weak holes. Neither strategically nor aesthetically. The course has all the right ingredients and is, frankly, a real adventure. Everyone who likes golf will have an enormous challenge,” says Mårten Norragård, the Swedish construction project manager responsible for realising the Bro Hof vision.
For just over a year he has put all his waking hours and energy into Bro Hof. When he believes in something he gives it all he’s got – just like everyone else in this project. Mårten has chosen his co-workers himself, a total of 55 people who, with the help of 35 machines, work to fulfil the dream of the perfect course.
Knows every centimetre of the course
At this point, Mårten knows every centimetre of the 130 hectares. Not only that, he KNOWS his golf. Mårten grew up in Sanda on the island of Gotland, pretty much on Kronholmen golf course. He has worked with golf since 1992, has a background as a golf pro at Frösåker and has worked with and built up other courses. Therefore he can tell the architect what won’t work and what you have to move in order for it to do so.
What is so special about Bro Hof?
“Our motto for everything is perfection! The situation is outstanding. On this course everything is magnificent and it makes you feel small as a person. Nothing is like any other course in Sweden. In terms of the game the course will be fantastic – a complete world-class journey.”
Nothing is done without a reason.
At this point, Mårten
Norragård knows every
centimetre of Bro Hof’s 130
hectares.
“We don’t compromise; instead we discuss everything in order to find the best solution. We don’t want to disturb nature, but we’re looking for continual movement, a softness and a flow to the course. Robert Trent Jones is protective of his reputation and sticks to his guns. But he accepts good reasons for making changes.”
Size of the budget a guarantee of good quality
“The architects draw – we make sure the construction is good. I stand out in the field and get irritated. Building in a course is a dynamic process, a daily challenge. The drawing is just guidebook on the way.”
Every hole has changed; in order for the course to be good, 1.5 million m³ of material has been moved, equivalent to 200,000 lorry loads.
“Sixty percent is controlled by the weather, and it should be dry,” says Mårten, though he doesn’t underestimate the size of the budget as a guarantee of quality.
“Thanks to the budget we have built the whole course on a 20 cm sand layer. In this way we have the best drainage and can always play with dry feet.”
According to Mårten there are only a few courses in Europe that are currently of the same quality as Bro Hof.
“We are building a unique, super course that is optimised for the spectators. It will be the first of its kind in the world.”