156 golfers, 80,000 spectators, and approximately 15 million DKK in prize money. The stage is set for the biggest golf event on Danish soil in 2024: DP World Tour – Danish Golf Championship 22-25 August.
The Danish Golf Championship, the Danish leg of the DP World Tour, features top golf players from around the globe, both domestic and international. This year, it will be hosted at Lübker Golf Resort. But how does the greenkeeping team prepare for hosting 156 top players and 80,000 spectators?
A year ago, an agronomist from the DP World Tour visited Lübker for a thorough review of the courses, identifying the necessary adjustments to meet the standards and difficulty level for top professional golfers. The greenkeeping team received a detailed report with objectives for the courses and areas that require special attention to meet DP World Tour standards. This included specific requirements for grass length on greens and roughs, green firmness, topdressing amounts to be applied, and verticutting frequency.
The agronomist has conducted follow-up inspections over the past year and will perform a final inspection the week before the tournament to ensure everything is perfect.
To meet the DP World Tour’s objectives for the courses, the greenkeeping team has been working diligently on the specified areas mentioned in the report. They have applied several thousand tons of sand to the bunkers and hundreds of tons of topdressing to the greens to optimize ball roll and achieve the correct level of difficulty. They have also moved flags and holes to protect specific green areas before the tournament.
The biggest challenge is balancing the daily maintenance with the additional demands of preparing for the tournament. The golf course remains in daily use, so it’s about giving it extra attention while keeping it playable for members and guests.
When the tournament begins, it is crucial that all employees and volunteers are clear about their tasks: mowing (in some areas both morning and evening), repairing divots, moving flags and holes, and dealing with any unforeseen issues that may arise.
Experience the DP World Tour Conditions
Would you like to experience playing like a DP World Tour player? You will have the opportunity to do so in the four days immediately following the tournament. During this time, the course will be maintained at the same high level as during the tournament itself.
Facts About Grass Mixtures
For repairing divots, a mix of Perennial ryegrass and Red fescue is used, providing a dense turf. On the fairways, a blend containing Red fescue with short, long, and no stolons offers a dense and balanced growth. Both mixtures are composed of varieties specially developed for golf. Outside the fairways, a grass mixture requiring less maintenance is used.
Lübker Golf Resort has also expanded the driving range with 3,000 m² of sod grass, consisting of 50 percent Kentucky bluegrass, 30 percent Perennial ryegrass, and 20 percent Red fescue. It was laid out at the end of May and has grown in well and is fully ready for the tournament.
