Skjoldenæsholm (Trent Jones Jr.) - CLOSED

Several unusual challenges confronted us in designing the golf course. First, we had to incorporate a rock wall hundreds of years old into our routing. Taking our cue from courses such as North Berwick, we used the wall as a hazard that crosses several holes. We also had to design the routing on a site bisected by the Danish Tramway Museum. Just as at Prestwick and Royal Adelaide, railway tracks run adjacent to several holes, creating a sense of connection between golfers and the outside world. Finally, three holes at Skoli are located beside a national scenic highway in a zone where nothing not considered ‘natural’ is allowed to be built. Because golf course bunkers aren’t considered natural, we designed holes 13-15 with “grass defences” such as hollows and valleys."

Skjoldenaesholm measures more than 6,500 metres from the championship tees but strategy as well as length is all-important because there is often more than one way to play each Skjoldnæsholm hole. Some require tantalising risk and reward decisions, which may involve a potential watery grave.

When standing on the 1st tee at Skjoldenæsholm, you may think that you are on the way to play a forest course as trees surround the hole. However, it’s the only hole where trees flank the fairway on both sides. The rest of the course is in relatively open space with mature trees lining some holes on one side or the other.

The par five 2nd poses a strategic choice for long hitters, whether to go for the long tee shot in the hope of finding a narrow landing area from where the lake can be carried with the second shot or there’s the safe three-shot option alongside the lake. Similar strategic choices face players on the par five 5th and 18th, where water again comes into play.

Skjoldenæsholm Golfklub ran into financial difficulties in 2019 and was placed on the market in February 2020. Three months later it was reported that Christian Andersen (from the real estate development company Ordrupdal) purchased the property. According to sn.dk, the new owner saw the property as “a real gem” and intends to “welcome everyone to the game of golf.” Sadly the course has since reverted to nature and is unlikely to reopen in the near future.