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Herzoglicher Golf Club, Oberhof, Thuringia. (1907 - 1951)
On October 16th 1907 the Thüringer Golf Club was founded at Hotel Wünscher in Gotha.
During spring 1908 a 9-hole golf course was laid out on the Schuderbachwiese with the layout being drawn up by the Berlin Golf Club professional Richardson.
Above is the Oberhof nine-hole course layout.
The ceremonial opening of the golf course took place on the 15th August 1908 and was carried out by HRH Duke Carl-Eduard von Saxe-Coburg. His Imperial Highness Grand Duke Cyril hit the inaugural ball. Heinrich Henkel from Bad Homburg became the first golf professional, while Georg Lange from Berlin lent a helping hand during the summer as a golf instructor.
The first golf course at Oberhof measured only 3,048m (for 18 holes). By 1910 it was decided to extend the course to 18 holes measuring 4,000m.
Article from The Sketch December 6th 1911.Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Article from The Sketch December 6th 1911.Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
With the opening of the new golf hotel in winter 1912/13 Duke Carl Eduard of Sachsen-Coburg accepted the protectorate over the Club and the club was now officially named “Herzoglicher Golf-Club Oberhof”.
From the Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic News Saturday 10th October 1914.Image © Illustrated London News Group.
By 1932 the course had grown to 5.300m. On average the course was only playable during 4 to 6 months beginning early May, this was due to the high altitude and weather conditions.
After 1945 Oberhof was the only operating the golf course in the Soviet Zone respectively the so-called German Democratic Republic. Golf was considered a bourgeois waste of time and resources and the last golf ball was hit in Oberhof in 1951.
So far all attempts to reopen the golf course have failed, even though over 25 years have passed since German reunification and the fall of communism.
On the tee at Thuringer.
The Oberhof Golfhotel and course.
Herzoglicher Golf Club, Oberhof, Thuringia. The Golf Club Hotel in winter.