Linna Golf, a European Top 100 Golf Course* set amidst the beautiful pine and birch forests of Finland, has received overwhelming praise from Europe’s most talented amateurs competing in the prestigious St Andrews Trophy.
The biennial two-day event, organised by The R&A and EGA (European Golf Association), was hosted at the acclaimed resort and venue situated just 100km north of Helsinki, for a Walker Cup-style competition between players from Great Britain & Ireland and the Continent of Europe.
The Continent of Europe won the match with a dominant display in the final round of singles to take victory by 15½-9½, but it was the stunning venue, host of the inaugural European Tour Properties Senior Classic last year, that also won high praise from players on both teams.
Linna Golf was designed by European Golf Design (the European Tour/IMG joint venture) and is part of the European Tour Properties portfolio, a network of world class golf venues.
Yves Hofstetter, captain of the Continent of Europe, said: “The setting at Linna Golf is truly idyllic, and the course was immaculately presented throughout the week. It is the perfect setting for match-play golf, with a number of risk and reward holes, and it is easy to see why so many reviewers rank the course as the best in Finland.”
Coinciding with hosting the St Andrews Trophy, Linna Golf has further developed its off-course facilities with enhancements to the functionality of both the range and practice areas. Cosmetic upgrades have been made to the clubhouse surrounds too, with increased diversity in flora and fauna introduced – raising the aesthetic appeal to visitors and guests.
Despite his team’s loss, GB&I player Todd Clements, voiced his appreciation for both the course and facilities: “The course is very unique which made it a real joy to play. The facilities gave me, and I’m sure everyone, the best opportunity to perform. There is everything you could need – a great driving range, a world class short game facility and a very undulating putting green.”
Member of the victorious team and Finland-native, Matias Honkala, added: “Linna Golf is a special place. To get to play in such a prestigious event in this breathtaking landscape is an experience I’ll never forget.”
The scenic forest course borders a 7km long lake on the historic Vanajan Linna Hotel estate, and has been described by Golf Digest Sweden as the, ‘the most luxurious golf resort in northern Europe’.
Esa Honkalehto, CEO of Linna Golf, concluded: “We are incredibly proud to have welcomed some of Europe’s finest amateur players to Finland and have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback we have received about our golf course and the wider resort facilities. It was a hard-fought match and, yet again, it has underlined the pedigree of Linna Golf as a premium tournament venue.”
As well as the exquisite Vanajan Linna country house hotel, the only one of its type in Finland, there is luxury guest accommodation in the clubhouse, with suites overlooking the course featuring private saunas. There are also four residences, each with two apartments, set into the forest surrounding the course, offering additional accommodation.
For more information, visit: https://www.linnagolf.fi/
*Golf World Magazine, UK
