ANFI TAURO GOLF COURSE

This was originally written in 2010.  But, I never got around to posting it.   Anfi Tauro golf course is the longest golf construction project I've been involved with; spanning 10 years.  

 

In  many ways, it was an extremely complicated and difficult design project, given the site constraints and the ever changing construction process.  Not to mention the space restrictions, topography and ROCK. 

 

Mr. von Hagge traveled to Gran Canaria to meet with Sr. Lyng and interview for the design commission.  Unfortunately, it was the only time he visited Gran Canaria.   I would have particularly enjoyed sharing this design experience with him.  Sadly, Mr. von Hagge never returned to Gran Canaria.  

Sr. Lyng (left), Jan Syltern and Robert von Hagge

Hole #6 (shown below) now occupies the ridge that is shown right behind these gentlemen. 
The peak which remains today, behind #6 green, is right above Sr. Lyng.

circa 2000

 

Anfi Tauro #6
circa 2006

 Also, sadly, Sr. Lyng did not live to see the completion of Anfi Tauro golf course.  



Javier Suarez (left) with Sr. Lyng - May 2006.  This was the last time I saw Sr. Lyng.
 Javier Suarez was instrumental in finally getting the golf course constructed.

 



The most unique aspect of this project for me was dealing with my evolving design philosophy over the 10 years it took to realize this project.  Of course, it was incumbent on me to deliver a "von Hagge" design, which has been my role for all our European designs.  But, this project was different.  At Anfi Tauro, over the 10 years we dealt with various construction entities, changing managers, changing site constraints and a change in ownership late in the project.   And, my design philosophy continued to evolve during this time.  I struggled to maintain consistency in the golf course.  I fought the desire to modify completed holes, and make sure ongoing work was not a significant departure from the initial work.  Each new regime brought changes to the plans.  These had to be addressed and incorporated into the golf course.  As an example, hole #1 was built and grassed three separate times over the years!  It was truly a unique project.




ANFI TAURO

Anfi Tauro is a resort and golf course in Gran Canaria.  It is the brainchild of Norwegian industrialist Senor Lyng (as he was known in Gran Canaria).

Bjorn Lyng was diagnosed with heart problems.  (At one point, by coincidence, he was referred to the Medical Center in Houston, Texas)  His doctors prescribed, among other things, rest and retirement.  So, Sr. Lyng "retired" to Gran Canaria, an island he discovered years earlier while sourcing water valves he needed to refurbish a paper mill in Norway. 

For a short time, his days were spent fishing.  But, ever the restless industrialist, he was interested in much bigger "fish".  Growing restless, his mind began fishing for something bigger; something on which he could focus his massive intellect and boundless energy. 
He told the following  story about his discovery - "Fishing one day, I was admiring the rugged coastline, mesmerized by the mountains entering the ocean.  Then, it occurred to me, the particular mountain ridge I was looking at could be cut in half to create a resort.  The excavated part of the mountain could be used to create a marina." 

Only an extraordinary intellect, dares to dream this big.  Sr. Lyng purchased the land and the his fishing vision started to become a reality.  And, Anfi del Mar was born; shown below in it's early stages of construction....

ANFI DEL MAR - GRAN CANARIA

Following the success of Anfi Del Mar, Sr. Lyng expand his original dream.  3km up the coast, he envisioned another resort: Anfi Tauro.  Every bit as ambitious as Anfi Del Mar, Anfi Tauro would have a golf course, time-share, houses, a marina and commercial center.

ANFI TAURO MASTERPLAN

ANFI TAURO GOLF COURSE

The design for Anfi Tauro is inextricably linked to the unique landscape the golf course occupies. The Tauro valley is a dramatic, varied and expansive desert landscape, with a magnificent and rugged mountain structure. These attributes "set the stage" and frame the golf course. It was obvious that - even if we wanted to - it would be impossible to design a golf course that did not cooperate and respectfully merge into this majestic landscape. Our desire, from the beginning, was to create a golf course that would celebrate and highlight the energy of the landscape.

Early sketch for hole #1

Hole #1 - the two "pot" bunkers on the left were added to provide additional security for the houses on the
 left side of this golf hole.  Hole #1 was built three times.  The rock wall on the right side was moved twice. 

Early in the design process, Sr. Lyng expressed an interest in creating a golf course that would showcase several different landscape “themes” i.e. desert, wetlands, forest, etc. We opposed this idea, believing it would compromise the integrity and strength of the natural landscape. In fact, this was likely the sole point where our opinion and intent differed from Sr. Lyng. He conceded this point reluctantly and I believe he finally found logic in our approach.
 

You will note that only the "play areas" of the golf course are grassed and irrigated. The purpose of this is twofold: 1. It reduces, to the logical minimum, the irrigated area. Of course, this is an important point in any golf project but it is critically important in Gran Canaria. 2. By confining the grass/irrigation only to the play areas, we created a very stark and dramatic color contrast (green) to the adjacent landscape. This creates a very dramatic visual effect, which we felt was important. It is a very clear and pure representation of the struggle between the manicured golf course and the formidable natural landscape – that we wanted to highlight.


Anfi Tauro #17, highlighting the scale of earthmoving required to build the course.

What were the design objectives?
Sr. Lyng asked us to create the best possible golf course possible within the Anfi landscape. It was a simple directive with many mitigating circumstances that spanned many years. Our intention, which is a constant objective, was to create the most memorable, entertaining and fun golf experience possible.

Since Anfi is a “resort” course, it means the golf course must be easily and immediately comprehensible. Since there will likely be many people that only play the course a few times, they must be able to understand the tactical requirements. At the same time, the course cannot be so rudimentary as to be uninspiring. Also important, Anfi is intended to provide a truly memorable visual experience. We want the players to leave with unchallenged, unparalleled memories of a unique and inspiring landscape. Finally, the golf course must engage and challenge the best players and entertain the beginning and average players.

What were the main difficulties and challenges during the execution of the project?
Now this is truly a difficult to question to answer in a brief way..... I only have time to provide a list which I could perhaps elaborate on in the future:

• The site – mostly rock, a limited amount of space, severe topography.

• The construction – limited experience of the construction company, logistical problems, projects delays leading to changes in workers and management and re-learning.

• Water

• Extended time – challenged the cohesiveness of the original design, design process and design philosophy.

• Permitting/authorities

Anfi Tauro #13 green, overlooking Tauro valley.

What makes Anfi Tauro Golf special?
Anfi Tauro is an ambitious dream of one man, that was shared with many and nurtured through many hardships to become a reality. I believe there has not been a more ambitious golf project built in Europe. The obstacles were simply too overwhelming to be overcome by a normal person. Of course, this is a compliment to the dedication and compelling power of Sr. Lyng, and his unwavering conviction to make dreams into reality.

Today, the path which was originally set by Sr. Lyng is now being followed and pursued by Santana-Cazorla. Under the tutelage of Javier Suarez, we believe the golf course will attain international recognition as a golfing destination.

Anfi Tauro golf course is unique in many ways. It is a golf course that resides in an extremely powerful and dramatic landscape. This provides a visual feast unparalleled anywhere. The design provides varied and complete challenges, intended to train and improve golfing skills - while entertaining golfers. The course is maintained at the highest level.



In the next years, as the final landscape touches are complete and the landscape mends and merges with the golf course, Anfi will mature into a truly striking and outstanding experience and hopefully become a recognized international golf venue.

INTERESTING FOLLOW-UP

I found this review (below) recently.  Such kind words are rewarding to designers.  This review is particularly rewarding for me.  I spent nearly 30 years working with Mr. von Hagge and took great pride in my association with him.  It was truly an honor for me. 

Robert was always concerned about projects like Anfi Tauro, that he didn't visit often.  Eventually, his health prevented him from traveling to Europe and visiting our ongoing projects.  He would be concerned these projects were not being developed to his standard.  He would be happy to see a "von Hagge" admirer felt Anfi Tauro expresses is "maximum creativity".  He would also be proud the golf course seems more impossible to play than it is.  This was one of Robert's design tenets: to design a golf course that appears more difficult than it is...  Robert was an artist and he would have loved the description: "Every hole looks like a painting, from nature and sometimes breathtaking."

"Arizona to Gran Canaria: spectacular" 
Jan 6, 2012   A TripAdvisor Member 

Von Hagge is the architect of my favorite golf courses. At Anfi Tauro Golf he has expressed his maximum creativity. At first glance, we are faced with a path that seems impossible, then, hole after hole, you become more familiar and fun is guaranteed. I, handicap 19, I've always used the drive without fear and the result was a score below 90 shots. Every hole looks like a painting from nature and sometimes breathtaking. The camp is held in an exemplary manner. Congratulations to the FIFe and especially Von Hagge.






SUSTAINABLE GOLF = 2% GREEN

“Sustainability” was a major theme at the 2010 World Forum of Golf Course Architects (WFGCA) in St. Andrews, Scotland.

After the WFGCA, working my way through Europe, I continued to seek a compelling strategy to promote a “brown is the new green” initiative. One idea finally materialized in Madrid – GOLF IS 2% GREEN..........

During the two day WFGCA, a theme emerged; the need to change golfer’s expectations from picture perfect golf courses (the “Augusta syndrome”), to a more ecologically responsible standard. I remember feeling overwhelmed midway into the second day, contemplating the task of convincing millions of golfers, regardless of what you’ve been told or what you think; “brown is beautiful”.

In fact, in the American Society of Golf Course Architects panel session, I posed (essentially) this question: “How do we (the +/- 150 people sitting in the room), propose to convince millions of golfers that the message the golf industry has so successfully crafted and delivered the past few decades, was the wrong message?” This is a question with no easy answer.

Intuitively, it seems peculiar for the golf industry to promote a “brown” initiative, while the rest of the world focues on “going green”.

Clearly, golfers will not enthusiastically embrace “dry -brown - scruffy” golf courses. Why should they? Every weekend on television, and in glossy monthly golf magazines, golfers see green! Indeed, lush and perfectly coifed courses are relentlessly flaunted as “the best” golf courses.

This is how the golf industry has programmed golfers and marketed golf. We shouldn’t be surprised golfers expect the same perfect conditions on every golf course. One small problem; we forgot to inform the golfing public these lavishly built and extravagantly maintained golf courses are often unsustainable – financially and environmentally.

Visiting clients and projects throughout Europe after the WFGCA, I continued to wonder - and question people about how we could bring more awareness to this issue.

I found;

1) Significant “sustainability” awareness already exists. But, I also perceived a hesitancy or uncertainty about how to assume a leadership role for this initiative - and, "who" should assume this role.

2) I was surprised by a common expectation from those I spoke with, which is: Golf Architects, by virtue of our prominence in the golf industry, should assume a leading role advancing sustainability.

My travels finally put me in Madrid, where we are constructing a 36 hole project in Alcala de Henares. While in Madrid, I also had a meeting scheduled with Royal Spanish Golf Federation President Sr. Gonzaga Escauriaza Barreiro. (I had a chance to meet with President Escauriaza during the WFGCA, where we agreed I would visit him during my visit to Madrid.)

During the meeting at the Centro Nacional in Madrid, discussions soon focused on sustainable golf. President Escauriaza expressed appreciation for the WFGCA’s concern about sustainability, an issue critically important to future golf development.

I remember the odd feeling, sitting in Madrid seamlessly engaged in this discussion concerning salient golf development issues. Golf is truly a small world. These exchanges quickly reveal we all share a love of golf and we share the same concerns about golf’s future.

It’s good to see industry leaders clearly grounded and able to articulate issues quickly and with focus. It wasn’t long before it was suggested; “Golf Architect’s” have the ability and platform to play in vital role in this initiative. Again, I hear the same comment about the role Architects must play in this initiative. And, again, it caused me to pause and wonder; do Architects truly have this power, or significantly more influence than our industry partners?

Our conversation continued, wandering through issues and events. I was happy to learn and wanted to gain understanding from the perspective of a National Golf Federation.

Sr. Julian Zulueta - made a point, which I particularly appreciated (since it is something I have said for years).  He said professionals could and should play the same golf courses we play, instead of the perfectly groomed (unsustainable) courses, set up specifically for golf tournaments. He makes a very valid point that golf course owners as well as tournament sponsors, have the ability to dictate tournament venues are not altered, but presented in the "conventional" fashion. And, golf course owners and sponsors are complicent, unless or until they demand tour events are played under normal golf course conditions. 

I couldn’t agree more with these comments. Professional golf consistently presents golf courses in the wrong manner in my opinion. Examples of this are obvious and too numerous to mention. Nearly every venue conforms to a pre-tournament preparation protocol. The result is uniform conditions every week. You’ll find very little variety and very few unique venues on the professional tour. Whose fault is this? How does this change?



Sr. Davide Gomez – the Federations Agronomist, made the point: Instead of focusing on equipment advances (clubs and balls), presenting more sustainable golf course conditions, will bring challenge and unpredictability back into the game. A sustainable golf course presents unpredictable conditions which are more challenging, but also more interesting. How often do we see players whining, when they face a less-than-perfect lie? 



So, we provide perfect playing conditions.  Then, when golfer's aren't sufficiently challenged by the golf course (because we've eliminated any possibility for misfortune) we must add tees, narrow the fairways, speed-up the greens, add bunkers, etc. etc. (which, by the way, all increase cost).  Are you seeing the disconnect here?

If you want to see the magic unpredictable golf course conditions can produce, find a video of Tom Watson’s chip in on the 17 hole at Pebble Beach in the final round of the 1982 US Open. Below, is an image of that moment.  Notice the "rough" around the green.  Try providing these conditions for today's golfers, and see what kind of reaction you get.... 

And, if you still don't believe golf course maintenance has changed the face of golf, you would be wrong.  To prove the point, some revealing historical and present day images of a well known golf course:




#12 GREEN present day version

 


Recognize this hole?  How about the maintenance - does it look familiar?  Probably not.  Still think maintenance standards and our expectations haven't changed?


President Gonzaga Escauriaza – made a precise and compelling point; Golfers obsess about the condition of the putting surfaces.

For some reason this final point found particularly fertile ground with me. A light went on! It’s true. Golfers fixate on putting surfaces. How often have we heard golfers brag or complain about “the greens”? I can’t remember how many times I’ve asked an opinion about a golf course, only to get a report on putting green conditions. So, why not use this knowledge to our advantage?

Golfers obsess about putting surfaces. Conveniently and notably, putting surfaces occupy less than 2% of the surface area on a typical golf course. That’s the message!

It’s catchy. It’s memorable. It’s truthful. It provokes further inquiry. It’s timely. It speaks of the “green” initiative. It focuses on what’s important to golfers – “green”. Most importantly, it doesn’t say, “No more green golf courses for you Mr. and Mrs. Golfer.” It calls attention to the negligible land area (less than 2% of the area of a typical golf course) which receives intense management on golf courses.

This seems like a better platform to discuss sustainability, focusing on what is important to the golfer; "The greens!" This engages golfers in a cooperative manner, concentrating on their priority, the greens. It provides a basis for golfers to be engaged in the sustainability dialogue: If the priority is good putting surfaces, what are we willing to compromise to maintain good putting surface conditions?

GOLF=2% GREEN also suggests a way forward; golf courses can reduce their carbon footprint and environmental impact; by focusing resources on putting surfaces and allowing the remaining golf course area (98%) to be more natural.

GOLF 2% GREEN

(Now, this is a message which holds promise….)

(Images used in this article are presented solely for edcuational purposes and all ownership rights and copyrights remain with the owners of these images.  )