Vuosaari
Helsinki, Finland
The invitation to visit Vuosaari, close to Helsinki, was an interesting one as the course had been conceived as a links ‘style’ layout. However, it has been entirely created having
originally been the site of an old dumping ground. The overall layout and shaping was judged to be very good. Some areas had been raised by over 20m from old levels but the overall look of the course is very appealing.
However, where the design did not really fulfil its links objectives was in the shaping of the bunkers and, to a lesser extent, the shaping of the greens. The bunkers were very shallow and almost always hidden from the view of the golfers. Another factor to be considered was the problem which Finnish courses have from ice damage in the winter. On the worst occasions virtually the entire course has to be reseeded and the shapes of the greens dictate how badly they are affected.
A programme has now been completed to reconstruct the bunkers to achieve a steep, grass faced, links like character. Two greens have also been redesigned and rebuilt to provide more pleasing contours and surfaces which will drain better for less susceptibility to ice damage.