Golf expanding in Russia

Golf is expanding in Russia. Cal Olson, a golf architect based in Aliso Viejo, Calif., is designing a course near Moscow, called Crocus Village. And other courses are being planned in and around major Russian luxury homes, according to Olson.

Crocus Village, owned by Crocus International, is scheduled to have nine holes completed at the end of next spring with the second nine in the spring of 2007. Because of severe winters, golf course builders and golfers have limited construction and playing time.

The course, located about 30 kilometers southwest of Moscow, will be a par-70, measuring about 6,500 yards. Construction has started, but the site requires moving about 600,000 cubic yards of dirt for the subdivision and golf. The course will be grassed with a combination of bentgrass and rye/bluegrass mixes.

Olson has sent a project manager to Russia and will be sending additional shapers in a month.

For more information on the project, contact Olson at cal@calolson.com or visit www.calolson.com.