Golf

The Akureyri golf course (Jadar) has the appearance of a moorland course. The par-71 layout meanders around and over broad ridges, broken up by clusters of trees and rock outcroppings. They are cleverly utilized as tee sites on numerous occasions throughout the course. The golf course is the world’s most northerly 18 hole golf course, according to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. This unique golf course is in a natural setting and provides a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside.

The golf course is normally open from mid May until end of October.

Akureyri Golf Club was established in 1935. It is Iceland‘s second oldest golf club after Reykjavik Golf Club. For years, Akureyri Golf Club was a nationwide leader in the development of golfing talent. It found a pioneer in Mr. Magnus Gudmundsson, who later designed the basis of the club‘s current course at Jadar. Gudmundsson was Iceland‘s first player of international caliber, showing his competitiveness at this level at the World Amateur Championships in St. Andrews in 1958. In 1964 he set a scoring record in the National Championships that still stands – 10 under par over 72 holes in The Westman Islands.

The club has recently taken on a renovation of the golf course under the guidance of golf architect Edwin Roald. Plans of the new and improved Jadar golf course can be seen at www.edwinroald.com. It has always been the number one goal of Akureyri Golf Club that Jadar will remain one of the best courses in Iceland.  The golf course was nominated in 2015 as one of the 7 best in Iceland by World Golf Awards.

Arctic Open is probably the most renowned tournaments held in Iceland during summer solstice. First held in 1986, this four-day championship event, open to international professional and amateur golfers, takes place at the Akureyri Golf Club, the most northerly 18-hole golf course in the world, beneath snow-capped mountains in the far north of Iceland, and the midnight sun. Participants need not worry about playing too slowly, since competitors can tee off at 3am and still be certain of seeing where their ball has landed - it is light all night at midsummer on the Arctic Circle.