robert von hagge: a world-class designer for a world-class course

The Doral in Miami, Deepdale in New York, Horal CC in Japan, Seignosse in southern France… These are but a few of the approximately 250 golf courses designed by Robert von Hagge, the architect responsible for Empordà Golf.

Robert von Hagge was literally born and raised on a golf course. By the age of 17, he had already worked as a caddy, a shop boy repairing clubs, a caddy master, a greenkeeper, an assistant greens superintendent and an assistant golf professional. After completing his studies in landscape architecture and space design, he joined the firm of the renowned course designer Dick Wilson. In 1962, after having participated in the design of over 40 courses, he left to set up his own firm.

Since then, Robert von Hagge has created some of the world’s most renowned courses. Empordà Golf marks his entry into the Spanish market. To understand the logic behind the design, one must understand von Hagge’s philosophy. As he explains, golf is an activity that requires commitment from the player at both the intellectual and emotional level. The complex fusion of these levels affects the player to a greater or lesser degree. Thus, a golf course’s architecture entails having not only deep knowledge of the history of the game and the surrounding landscape, but also of the players themselves. At Empordà Golf, Robert von Hagge has managed to improve an already stellar setting by creating a technically perfect course that allows for a wide variety of swings and techniques. To this end, the combination of the four 9-hole courses into 2 distinct 18-hole courses makes Empordà Golf one of the best greens in Europe.