Saarland

Saarland: Golf in the Dreiländereck [Three Countries’ Corner]

Situated in the three countries’ corner of Germany, France and Luxembourg, the smallest German state of the Saarland represents an essential bridge to its European neighbours. The state capital city of Saarbrücken, situated directly along the Saar and the French border, offers an interesting history and varied image to the visitor with its surroundings. An interesting co-existence of contrasts gives this region an unconventional charm which is increased by the fact that there is great golf in the small Saarland and golfing guests are always welcome at the seven courses that are located there. The namesake and the lifeblood of the land is the Saar, the river, along which good wine also flows.

Whoever likes to hike through magnificent landscapes, thick woods and gentle hills, or prefers to move in and upon the water, is in precisely the right place here. Along the seas, water landscapes and reservoirs, there are numerous activities and water sports of all kinds offered. Precisely an ideal terrain for wellness and family vacations. A colourful mix of culture and history, golf and biking pleasure await the visitors. The Sankt Wendeler land, with the picturesque Bostalsee, is not only a mecca for bicyclists seeking a challenge, but rather also offers the best conditions for hiking, golfing or water sports in all variations.

The Saargau is a mountain range west of the Saar in which the Romans already grew wine. This landscape dotted with shell limestone is characterised by intensive agriculture and scattered fruit groves with thousands and thousands of fruit trees – one can even savour the Saargau here.

The Saarland’s cities offer the visitor a Mediterranean flair. Indulging in the art of enjoyment in all its facets at events or festivals. Whether shopping in the city in well-known boutiques or factory outlet, there is everything which the heart desires. You can come across impressive traces of history in the numerous museums. Owing to its close proximity to France, eating is a part of the joie de vivre here and a festival for the senses.

The city of Saarbrücken, which is now only 1000 years old, is not only the state’s capital city and a modern metropolis, but rather also a business and cultural centre of the Saar region. The Saar flows for eight kilometres through the city, the nucleus of which actually was two villages upon both sides of the river. The shortest connection between Old Saarbrücken and St. Johann is today still the Old Bridge which was constructed during the middle of the 16th century.

Golf is also of great importance in the capital city of the Saarland. At the Saarbrücken Golf Club, which lies upon a 340 high plateau near Saarlouis in the Saargau, 18 veritable holes await. The course, which was designed by Don Harradine and is very attractive owing to its old grove of trees, represents a real challenge and requires precise play.

In the “The House of Villeroy & Boch” experience centre directly along the Saar’s bank, the wondrous world of ceramics is opened up to the visitor in Mettlach. From ancient materials, designers again and again create new forms in magnificent decor.

In St. Wendel, the Late Gothic parish and pilgrimage church houses the mortal remains of the wandering monk and city patron Wendalinius who died at the beginning of the 7th century. Wendelinus Golf Park/St. Wendel Golf Park is also called the largest golf course in the Saarland. It indeed has 27 and 9 holes. One is normally accustomed to such golf worlds in Ireland, the USA or Canada. However, it represents something closer to a surprise in the Saarland, albeit a positive one. The holes with a parkland, mountain and forest character as well as a links course make the golf play a special experience here in St. Wendel.

“Une vue splendide” was enjoyed by France’s famous author Victor Hugo in 1863 upon Germany’s most beautiful river bend, the Saarschleife, a few kilometres from Mettlach. After making a U-turn, the Saar is successful in flowing a little farther again in the direction of its source. The natural spectacle from the outlook point at Cloef or the Montclair Fortress ruins is overwhelming.

The quite large Iron Age in Völklingen lasted one hundred years: From 1883 where the first furnace was ignited until 1986, the year that it was abandoned. The Völklinger Hut has now become a unique monument to the Industrial Age and has been designated by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site: Six furnaces upon a 250-metre-long axis form the centre in addition to the cokery, monstrous halls, transport belts, elevators and gigantic blower machines from which the hot wind brought the molten mass to an incandescent state.

From the former glow of iron back to golf. The Saarland is a land of short paths. Thus, one absolutely must visit both of the larger golf clubs, the 18-hole champion courses of the Websweiler Hof Homburg/Saar Golf Club and perhaps play a couple of holes. In this case, the charm lies in the differences. The first nine holes require normal play while the second higher section of the course requires different, more tactical form of play because the wind is here one’s constant companion. In the southernmost corner of the Saarland, almost already back into the Palatinate, the Katharinenhof Golf Club awaits as the final chapter of the Saarland golf journey. The 18 fairways and greens lie idyllically between meadows and forest in a very hilly area which makes the play difficult with its many slopes. As compensation for this, there are wondrously beautiful views of the Palatinate and far into the French Lorraine for golf shots which aren’t so good.