slovakia “The Best” Is Yet To Come

Jonathan Davison’s first solo-designed golf course will be built in Slovakia, as part of a resort community that’s now wrapping up construction on a Nicklaus Design layout.

Penati Golf Resort is taking shape in Senica, a town roughly 60 miles north of Bratislava, the nation’s capital. The 300-acre community was originally to be known as Gold Golf & Country Club, but a new investor has taken over and tapped Davison to help turn it into what’s been called “the best golf resort in Central Europe.”

Davison is keeping details about the project under his hat until he writes a press release, but a couple of months ago he told me that the site is “stunning” and that “it resembles the heathlands around Surrey -– pines, sand, and heather in places.” He called it “just perfect for golf.”

In contrast to Nicklaus’s course, a 7,228-yard resort-style layout, Davison reports that his course will be “more rustic, natural, and have a more traditional feel.”

The Nicklaus course has largely been seeded. Construction on Davison's course is expected to begin in early 2012.

Golf Course Architecture recently reported that Davison’s course will be shaped by Mick McShane, who's been described as “da Vince with a dozer.” McShane made his reputation with two courses in St. Andrews, Scotland: the Castle Course (designed by David McLay Kidd) and Kingsbarns Golf Links (Mark Parsinen and Kyle Phillips).

Davison was formerly an associate at a British firm, Ford Golf Group. While there, he helped to design Sobienie Royal Golf & Country Club in suburban Warsaw, Poland. His new firm is called Create Golf.

Some information in this post originally appeared in the August 2011 issue of the World Edition of the Golf Course Report.