Sweden, Halmstad – Golf on Halmstad’s Pearl

HOTEL TYLÖSAND
Owners: Per Gessle and Björn Nordstrand.
Number of Rooms: 225, 402 beds, all newly renovated.
Conference rooms: 29.
Other: Several restaurants, a spa, pool, night clubs, galleries and more.
Tip: Check out the Leif's Lounge bar in which Per Gessle has gathered all his gold records and other awards from his time with Gyllene Tider and Roxette. There are also several letters from various record producers, where, after listening to a demo tape, decline producing the new band Gyllene Tider.
Other golf courses: 13 courses, 192 holes within an hour of driving.
Total Rating: Tylösand Hotel is a perfect family hotel with entertainment for all ages. A spa with indoor pool, proximity to the beach and really good action at the after-beach makes the hotel an attractive summer destination for many. Good service from a positive staff and especially the generous breakfast buffet was appreciated by all. One of Sweden's best golf courses is also within walking distance. Halmstad’s northern course maintains a very high standard throughout. Already when you walk into the spacious club reception it feels professional and the feeling lingers with you the entire round.

HALMSTAD GK
Number of holes: 18 +18 holes, North and South.
North: Par 72 yellow tees 5,955 metres red tees 5,116 metres.
South: Par 72 yellow tees 5,552 metres red tees 4,840 meters.
Course designers: Rafael Sundblom, Nils Skold, Frank Pennink and Donald A Steel.
Green fees: North: Senior EUR 64, Junior EUR 32. South: Senior EUR 53, Junior EUR 26.

With the ocean as a neighbour

With the ocean as a neighbour and walking distance to the golf course Hotel Tylösand and Halmstad Norra are an unbeatable combination.

It is one of those warm autumn days that only the North Sea could create. The ball cuts through the clear blue air because it feels that way. That the air has colour. The ball lands softly on the green and rolls down towards the flag.

The wind sighs slightly in the lush coastal forests that frame many holes of golf at Halmstad North. The introductory hole is long and relatively challenging with a wide fairway that bends slightly to the left. The green is relatively flat and is guarded by two bunkers on the right side.

There is something special about golf at this time of year, I think to myself while I tee up on the third hole. There is a narrow par four with a ridge diagonally across the hole. The fairway has several large depressions on the right side and the green is well-bunkered. To the right of the green the aprons end sharply down towards the semi-rough. To get a good and even approach position, the tee-shot should be placed on the left side of the fairway. I take my driver and hit ...

I start to hum a tune written by Marie Fredriksson, Per Gessle’s stablemate in Roxette you know - "Still the sand is hot after the summer has gone, there is so much has happened and so much I got ... You give me peace after the storm when my dreams fall apart, you give me calm after the storm."

That’s just the way it feels. This time of year the After Beach band has long ago left the Hotel Tylösand and the familiar songs that everyone sings along have died away over the sea.

Per Gessle by the way owns the Hotel Tylösand with business profile Björn Nordstrand. They have invested about 60 million to renovate all 225 rooms, built new restaurants and a fabulous spa. Their common interest in art means that the hotel can be proud of the roughly 400 pieces of art set out in the hotel, with everything for sale, almost. All of the art pieces create a sense of modern design as a contrast to the little concrete-like hotel complex.

Before Gessle and Nordstrand took over, the baths had a chequered existence. It started in the 1920s when the court photographer Johan Hallberg formed Tylösand Seaside Resort and the goal was to create an equally popular seaside resort as Båstad was at that time. The model was French Trouville that was one of Europe's most modern resorts. Already from the start the boats left Halmstad loaded with eager bathers.

It was in 1935 that the building of an 18-hole course began with the help of architect Rafael Sundblom. In the early 60's access to land was granted for an additional nine holes north of the existing course. In 1967 the new holes, designed by Nils Skold, were opened for play. Together with the last nine holes they formed an 18-hole course today called Norra Banan.

In 1975 work began on an additional nine holes and with the first nine holes on the old course. They were also designed by British designer Frank Pennink. The south course was ready for play in 1979.

Hole 12 is I think one of the course’s best. The fairway slopes sharply to the left down to a grove so aim towards the right side where there is a little flat surface. The second shot is played downhill to a small green situated over a brook. Try to get an uphill putt because the green tilts strongly toward the stream. It’s good if you avoid putting three times.

Hole 16 is Norra Banan’s signature hole. Many competitions have been determined here. It was here that American Michael Allen would march home from the PGA Championship at the end of the 80s. He led by five or six strokes but failed and got eight, and went home dejected.

After finishing on 18, I take a walk back to the hotel as my thoughts wander. Admittedly, I have walked a few miles but it still feels as if I want to finish the afternoon with a beach walk to loosen up my tired and a bit stiff body. Or should I take a chilli-massage or hot stone massage or an aromatherapy body wrap or ...

Afterwards it’s dinner in the restaurant Akvarell, the hotel's fine dining area.
Towards the late hours I fall asleep and my thoughts turn to tomorrow's round ...

Text: Anders Örnevall
Photo: Lasse Davidsson
Web editor: Emma Linden