How To Tournament – Welcome to the Golf Metropolis of Winsen.

Tirelessly, the yellow beast piles up gigantic masses of sand before itself. Stoically and yet almost light-footed, it moves through the morning mist. Its eyes flash yellow through the haze. 

Only its groaning, which blends surprisingly harmoniously like a bassline under the pleasant sound of chirping, quacking, croaking, and chirruping, testifies to the effort.

Everything here on zero, two, four, and eight legs seems to pay homage to the sunrise behind the already mounded hills with the pond on this fresh morning.

The yellow creature answers to the name VOLVO and has no legs. Instead, it has immense tires that plow through tons of earth.

It’s 7:00 in the morning, and none of the animals seem bothered by it. Why would they be? After all, their own habitat is essentially being enlarged, expanded, enhanced. Once again. Or more correctly: Continuously.

Because here at Radbruch in Winsen, the landscaping seemingly never ends. They focus on diversity in flora, retention basins are created to maintain groundwater levels, new animal species become native, old ones find a new refuge. A huge moor will emerge.

Just at this spot alone – which was previously only scrub and dense bushes and will in the future bear the name ‚West 14‘ – 60,000 hectares of sand have been piled up. The vehicle fleet of the company ‚Legrand Erd- und Kulturbau‘ from neighboring Bardowick has basically been in constant use for years. 

At the latest when Bleschi came up with the idea of natural spectator mounds over on the North Course, the whole thing took on mining-like proportions.

And Bleschi, it must be known, is not just the quirkiest among the birds – Michael „Bleschi“ Blesch is the human-turned-beaver here at the course.

But the WEST Course, which is intended to host the Ryder Cup (‚Mission2035‘), is still future music – even though the first 9 holes have already been built and are playable as an 18-hole South-West Course.

The South Course was Bleschi’s first course. Originally built as a 9-hole, then expanded to 18 holes, now back to 9 holes. And now completely different… You can already tell: construction is permanent!

But Blesch set his first monument with his second course: the North Course. Appreciatively christened ‚Green Monster‘ by shock rocker Alice Cooper. A championship course where water comes into play on 16 holes. With very fast, undulated greens.

Endless bunkers and strips of sand. And extreme leeength.

North Course in numbers: 7057 meters / PAR 73 / 78.4 Course Rating / 149 Slope

And it’s precisely this lovable monster that we’re focusing on now. Because as a tour venue, it’s infamously famous – above all for: no low scores…

It has hosted the DP World Tour 7 times so far (6x PEO – Porsche European and 1x EO – European Open) and this year will welcome the professional women of the Ladies European Tour (LET) for the first time.

But what does it really take to set up such a tournament? We’ve spoken with the various operational teams involved, will introduce them, and let them speak in turn.

And the North Course along with the Green Eagle facility literally speaks for itself: in the accompanying photo galleries and video.

Now immerse yourself in the fascinating and complex world of tournament golf. We wish you lots of joy and new insights while reading.

Michael “Bleschi” Blesch | Owner & Course Architect

„Tournament quality doesn’t happen the week before — it’s a year-long project.“

If you call the North Course the “Green Monster”, it’s not some PR gimmick.
It’s a pretty accurate description.
And it comes from someone who should know: shock rocker and scratch golfer Alice Cooper.

Because this course is alive. Not in some poetic sense, but in a very real one: with redesigns, extensions, new ideas, new holes, modified hazards, and natural grandstands.
The creature keeps evolving. Over and over again.

Michael Blesch — everyone calls him Bleschi — isn’t just the owner; he’s the creator and tamer of this monster.
A man with vision. And heavy machinery. Someone who doesn’t see a golf course as a fixed framework, but as an ongoing experiment.
And he’s been doing it for decades.

His vision: to create a genuine championship course.
Not just another 18-hole layout with a marketing label, but a venue that challenges international players while still being playable for amateurs.
„A course has to offer both: the pro needs to go for the flag, and the casual player still has to be able to reach the green,“ says Blesch.

He makes sure of that with four tees per hole — and maintenance that doesn’t stop in tournament week.

„If you don’t keep the course at a top level all year long, you won’t be able to conjure up magic for a single week.“

That Green Eagle is now welcoming the players of the LET is, for him, a logical but nonetheless special step.

„We’ve hosted the DP World Tour seven times — and now we’re showing that this course is made for Europe’s best women too. It’s no small stage.“

The North Course demands length, strategic thinking, and above all disciplined play.
That’s why — unlike the men’s events — Blesch deliberately avoids thick, punishing rough here.
„The LET pros already have the length. What matters more is getting them to make smart decisions — without adding unnecessary pressure.“

And the course is set up exactly for that:

greens with clear sections, fairways that offer room but also risk, and 16 holes with water — always present, never unfair.

„You have to hold your game together out here — and if you do, you can score well. But one mistake will cost you.„

The effort behind an event of this scale is immense — even at Green Eagle, where they’ve seen it all.
But for Blesch, that’s precisely what makes it exciting:

„You want to prove you can do it. That you can build the course and the entire environment so a top-level event works — not on paper, but in real life, under tournament conditions.“

Adjustments are made, ground is leveled, rerouted, re-rolled — new camera positions, player areas, and spectator routes are created wherever needed.

And, of course, the infrastructure behind the scenes:
range maintenance, power supply, floodlighting, machinery, contingency plans for weather changes.
„The course has to play — but the whole system around it has to work too.“

For Blesch, the Amundi German Masters isn’t an exception — it’s the next chapter.
A tournament that shows what the course is capable of. And what its future could be.

“It’s going to be fun to watch which strategy the players go for — play it safe or go all in? In the end, the North Course will call the shots on who takes the trophy.”

Because the monster is alive.
And it’s ready to show what it can do.

Alexandra Armas | CEO, Ladies European Tour

“It’s not just about tournaments. It’s about impact.”

When Alexandra Armas talks about the Ladies European Tour, she rarely starts with numbers—even though the figures speak for themselves:

From 19 to 28 events. From €11 million to €39 million in prize money. All in just five years.

But what truly matters to her isn’t measured in euros; it’s measured in influence.

“We want our athletes to be recognised as people—far beyond golf.”, Armas said. 

She means it literally:

As role models. As influencers. As speakers. As faces of a movement that wants women’s golf to be more visible, accessible, and normal.

Green Eagle? A deliberate choice—a course that, at first glance, shouts DP World Tour more than LET.
“These are exactly the kind of flagship events we need—built on ambition and partners that really lean in.”

The partnership with U.COM, the backing of Amundi, and Green Eagle’s commitment form the blueprint Armas believes can lift women’s golf to a new level.

And she’s already thinking ahead:
→ More digital formats
→ Stronger presence on owned channels
→ Moving towards €500,000 purses as the new normal
→ More women in every role across the sport—not just on the leaderboard

Visibility, though, remains the pivotal issue.

“We produce over 2,000 hours of content a year—but what good is that if we can’t secure reliable TV windows?” 

So the Tour is building its own digital infrastructure: a native video player on the LET website, more highlight reels, more behind-the-scenes stories, more personality-driven content—not to please mainstream broadcasters, but to control its own narrative.

Throughout, the LET keeps its core in focus: elite sport with global reach.

More events? Yes—but not at any cost.
“Twenty-eight to thirty-two tournaments per season is our sweet spot—enough to be globally relevant, without burning out the players.”

Balance, Armas stresses, is everything: between tradition and innovation, growth and stability, professionalism and humanity.

The LET isn’t trying to look like a carbon copy of the men’s tour; it’s demonstrating what it already is: a strong, self-contained circuit where women show how much future the sport holds.

“We’re watching concepts like TGL with interest,” she adds. “But our strength isn’t only in spectacle—it’s in the fusion of sport, community, and real impact.”

Dirk Glittenberg | Owner, U.COM

„We want everyone to have a great day – even if they don’t have a deep golf background.“

Dirk Glittenberg isn’t just organizing a golf tournament – he’s curating a complete experience.

When speaking with him about the Amundi German Masters, you quickly realize: This isn’t just about delivering sporting excellence. It’s about creating an event that engages everyone – from hardcore golf fans to families on a day trip.

„We want an event where nobody feels excluded. Great food, relaxed atmosphere, and top-level golf are just as important as a welcome area that doesn’t feel like a VIP checkpoint.“

This isn’t coincidental, but systematic. A system that U.COM has developed over years – as organizer, producer, and silent architect of numerous top events for the LET, the DP World Tour, or even in tennis on the ATP Tour. Including production of the global TV signal.

Because U.COM isn’t simply a tournament organizer. The company produces the international World Feed with its own team, manages players like Esther Henseleit or Alexandra Försterling – and knows the challenges of the global golf circus down to the last camera cable.

„A professional tournament of this caliber costs around 1.75 million euros,“ says Glittenberg. „Everything needs to be perfect – from infrastructure and technology to spectator guidance.“

And then there’s the calendar. While Green Eagle has long been ready, the event must fit into the already dense tournament schedule of the LET. Majors, time zones, TV windows – it’s a puzzle where every calendar week counts.

When it comes to TV production, U.COM has long set its own standards: 18 to 22 cameras. Live drones. A 60-person team. DP World Tour level – but on their own initiative. Yet Glittenberg says: „The biggest challenge isn’t the technology – it’s the calendar.“

When LET, LPGA, DPWT, and LIV run simultaneously, broadcasting slots become scarce. That’s why he advocates for a globally coordinated system: less uncontrolled growth, more synergy. „Otherwise fans will eventually tune out.“

What drives him isn’t self-fulfillment in sports management – but a genuine vision: Building events that connect people. That appeal to new target groups. And that show professional golf doesn’t have to be elitist.

This includes female empowerment. Not as a label, but as an attitude. U.COM organizes wildcard projects for up-and-coming female players, creates media platforms, produces personal profiles – and firmly believes that women’s golf has a story to tell that doesn’t explain itself.

„Many amateurs identify with the female players. The swing ranges, the mindset, the openness – it’s a different approach.“

And how does Glittenberg see the future? More mixed events? Even larger productions? Greater reach through content? Yes – but above all: clarity.

„We need uniform structures, good partners, and events that are more than just a scoreboard. Then women’s golf can really grow.“

Daniel Reitz | Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Amundi Deutschland

„Our commitment to women’s golf is not just a marketing slogan. It’s a strategic component of our positioning.“

When an investment firm sponsors a golf tournament, many think of hospitality, visibility, logos.

But what Daniel Reitz describes goes deeper: For Amundi, the Amundi German Masters is not just an event – but a statement.

Since 2021, the company has been the title sponsor of the Amundi Evian Championship, a major on the LPGA & LET. The Amundi German Masters was added with the declared goal of making women’s golf more visible and concretely promoting equality in sports.

„We want to show that as a company, we don’t just talk about values – we live them,“ says Reitz. „This includes supporting sporting platforms that promote diversity and produce real role models.“

The partnership with the LET is designed for the long term. Amundi was involved in the re-launch of the tournament in Berlin – and is now also supporting the venue change to Green Eagle.

For Reitz, this isn’t just a change of scenery, but a new opportunity: „The course offers tremendous sporting quality, the proximity to Hamburg is interesting from a media and economic perspective – and we see potential here to further develop the event.“

Particularly important: the international profile of the LET, paired with local relevance. „We operate in over 30 countries – and this is reflected in this tournament: an international field, but with strong German participation.“

And this mix works. Amundi’s brand awareness has significantly increased in Germany – also because the tournament doesn’t focus on glamour, but on attitude.

It’s important to Reitz that equality isn’t treated as a PR topic. „We see sport as a mirror of social development – and women’s golf as an area with huge potential.“

Athletes like Alexandra Försterling are not only outstanding sportswomen but also figures of identification. „When young women are inspired by such events, that’s exactly the impact we want.“

For Amundi, the commitment pays off on multiple levels: image, networks, employer branding – but also in terms of content.

Because sponsorship that comes across as authentic must be more than just a logo and lounge. It requires conviction. And partners who share the same values.

„That’s why we’re here,“ says Reitz.

„And that’s why we want to continue contributing to women’s golf getting the stage it deserves in the future.“

Marco Paeke | Managing Director, VcG

“We share the same goal with many other partners: Women’s golf needs to be strengthened! And if our German players perform well on top of that, it gives the whole topic an extra boost!”

You won’t find their name on any scorecard – but behind the scenes, the VcG plays a vital role at the Amundi German Masters.
As a sponsor with purpose. And as a driving force behind a game that’s open to all.

“We believe in the power of women’s golf – not as a side issue, but as a key pillar of the transformation our sport so urgently needs,” says Marco Paeke, Managing Director of the German Association of Independent Golfers (VcG). And he doesn’t say this in passing.

Because what’s happening here is more than just another sporting commitment.

The VcG was founded in 1993 as a kind of bridge solution – for players without club membership.
Today, it’s a major player in its own right: around 30,000 members, over 100 events per year – and €1.8 million annually invested in the future of golf.

Their sponsorship of the Amundi German Masters carries the label “Powered by VcG” – and it’s far more than symbolic.

Two Wild Cards for German players were granted from the VcG quota – in consultation with national head coach Stephan Morales.
“When these players perform, it not only raises the tournament level – it also boosts the media profile of women’s golf in Germany.”

But it’s not just about visibility at the top.
The VcG consciously positions itself between elite sport and everyday recreation – as a platform for everyone who wants to play golf freely, flexibly, and without club dogma. 

“Our members often have tight schedules,” says Paeke.
“9-hole rounds, after-work tournaments, easy access – that’s what fits into many people’s lives.”

And that’s precisely why the VcG supports top-level competition, too:
Because success on the pro stage sparks interest at the grassroots.

“When players like Alexandra Försterling or Esther Henseleit are in contention, it creates real momentum!”

For Paeke, the Amundi German Masters is a litmus test – not just for the state of women’s golf in Germany, but for a broader vision of a more open, inclusive golf culture.

“We’re not competing with the clubs – we’re complementing them. Our goal is to get as many people into the game as possible.”

A goal that becomes more visible here in Hamburg – with every flight, every headline, and every fan who realizes:Women’s golf isn’t the side show.
It is the show.

Frank Ockens | Owner, Cart Care

„Normally there are 10 to 20 carts at an LET tournament. Now we need 50 to 60 – that’s a clear indication of this event’s scale.“

Anyone moving around the Amundi German Masters grounds – quickly, purposefully, and preferably without blisters – is most likely doing so in a vehicle from Cart Care. What sounds like a side job for electric scooters is actually a central component of tournament logistics.

Frank Ockens and his team are delivering more than 50 carts for this event, including 2-seaters, 4-seaters, 6-seaters, and special models for transport, media, and emergencies. That’s more than twice as many as at classic LET events.

„This alone shows how ambitious this tournament is – organizationally, spatially, and in terms of media coverage.“

Part of the fleet arrives three to four weeks before the tournament. For setup, course checks, and pathway planning. The rest follows in stages – with all vehicles on site at the latest ten days before. And then the real art begins: coordination.

With their own IOTee System (https://iotee.eu/), Cart Care tracks in real time where each cart is located, how fast it’s moving, whether it’s charged, or if it’s stuck at the 16th green.

„We can see at a glance where there’s movement – and where something’s missing.“ What sounds like air traffic control is the basic prerequisite for ensuring players, volunteers, media crews, and officials are at the right place at the right time.

And that’s no walk in the park at a venue like Green Eagle. „Depending on weather conditions, some paths can be slippery or blocked – we have to constantly improvise without anyone noticing.“

This also applies to maintenance: batteries charge overnight, defective vehicles are replaced, spare batteries are ready. In the background, a silent service backup is running – like a mechanic’s box at Le Mans. Just quieter.

The fact that Cart Care operates almost exclusively with electric vehicles is also part of the concept. „Sure, they need electricity – but they have lower emissions, are quieter, and align with the LET’s sustainability strategy.“

It’s no coincidence that you’ll find Ockens and his team at almost every major golf event in Europe. Cart Care has already been involved in several DP World Tour events and – perhaps as the greatest accolade – at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome. There, they provided the complete cart infrastructure for players, captains, volunteers, and officials – a logistical masterpiece at the highest level.

„We’re not just service providers,“ says Ockens. „We’re part of the operation. When our vehicles stop, everything stops.“ And at a tournament like the Amundi German Masters – with its long distances, many trades, and fast pace – that’s no exaggeration.

What particularly stands out to him about this event? „The mix. On one hand, you have a setup like the DP World Tour, on the other hand, an approachability and agility that’s unique.“

And that’s exactly what makes it appealing to him: A tournament that thinks big – but stays smart. Even in its vehicle fleet.

Peter Zäh | Managing Director, Langer Sport Marketing

„We have people we’ve known forever – some volunteers even travel from tournament to tournament. But we always involve local golfers too.“

When a golf tournament like the Amundi German Masters runs smoothly – with precisely timed flights, clearly marked paths, volunteers at every junction, and leaderboards at the right holes – it’s not magic. It’s the work of a team that has perfected the invisible systems behind professional sport: Langer Sport Marketing.

Peter Zäh and his team are something like the experienced set builders of German professional golf. They don’t just bring materials, but above all structure – and the trust that comes from years of experience across dozens of events.

In Hamburg, LSM manages two central operations: Staging – everything visibly shaping a tournament’s character: roping, signage, scoreboards, digital and analog information displays. And: Volunteer Management – everything that works because people are positioned in the right places.

„We’re on site with about six people a week before the tournament starts, for setup,“ explains Zäh. „From Monday of tournament week, the team grows to ten. And then they arrive – our volunteers.“

150 to 160 in number. An army of polo shirts. Or better: an armada of enthusiasm, rule knowledge, and sense of direction.

Marshals, scorers, shuttle drivers, crossing guides, scoreboard carriers – without them, no tournament operation, no flow of play, no spectator experience.

„We’ve known some for many years,“ says Zäh.

„But we also deliberately work with local volunteers. They’re not all golfers, but almost all have a connection to the scene – even if it’s just through family life or previous ProAms.“

The fact that LSM can work at Green Eagle practically without lead time is a clear advantage. „We know the critical points, where it gets crowded and which path is better suited for spectator flow than another.“

This saves site visits, time – and nerves. Because when a course is familiar, you can focus on the processes.

But LSM is more than a well-coordinated technical crew. They are the interface between concept and reality – they make the tournament visible, accessible, and readable.

What distinguishes them is not just their professionalism, but a kind of loyalty to the sport.

„We’re involved in pretty much every German professional tournament – often more in the background, but always with the expectation that everything runs smoothly.“

Peter Zäh has been in this world for over 30 years. He was once a tournament helper himself – today, he’s the man who knows how many meters of roping you need for 18 holes with water hazards. And what happens when you forget it.

What drives him? „The people. The projects. And the trust we’ve built over decades.“

Because those who know they can rely on Langer Sport Marketing can fully concentrate on what a tournament like this is all about:

Golf – at the highest level. Visible to everyone.

Tim Starke | Co-Owner, Starke & Pfeiffer Communications

„When a hole-in-one happens, we immediately bring together photos, sponsor, player – and push it out.“

Tournaments like the Amundi German Masters aren’t just created on the course – they’re created in the minds of people who hear about them. And Starke & Pfeiffer ensures that happens. Or more precisely: a network of information, coordination, and relevance management.

Tim Starke, Frieder Pfeiffer and their team manage the entire tournament communication – from the first press announcement to the last media shuttle in the final round. They serve as the interface between organizers, sponsors, LET, media outlets, management teams and their players, and the public.

„Our job begins months before the first tee shot,“ says Starke. „With strategic planning, media positioning, and building the right stories.“

The move to Green Eagle wasn’t just a location change with a new postal code – but a complete communications restart: How do we explain the new location? Who are the faces on site? Which players and topics work regionally, nationally, internationally?

Already in December, Starke & Pfeiffer orchestrated the kick-off press conference. Since then, the media wheel has been spinning in three directions simultaneously: traditional press work, media management, and live communication during event days.

What does this specifically mean during tournament days?
→ Daily updates to editors
→ Immediate communication of highlights (e.g., hole-in-one, local top round, interruption)
→ Coordination of interview requests, player statements, media briefings
→ Alignment with TV teams, live tickers, and social media team

Additionally: Comprehensive management of the media center, media shuttle logistics, distribution list maintenance, ad-spec coordination with sponsors, and a communication culture designed for rapid response.

These are numerous tasks and vast amounts of content. While it doesn’t fall under their responsibility, it should be mentioned that many players themselves cleverly use the new media reality, specifically social media – with reach that can compete with traditional channels.

„It’s no longer enough to send out a press release at the end of the day. It’s about mirroring the rhythm of the tournament in our communications – in real time.“

„We accompany, curate, and synchronize,“ says Starke. „Because ultimately, it’s about creating a consistent image – and enabling the best stories.“

What makes Starke & Pfeiffer strong is not only their proximity to the golf scene – but also their ability to think of the event as a storytelling platform. The agency knows how to not just organize tournaments, but how to narrate them.

And that’s exactly what matters:

Not mere PR – but meaning. And stories that stick.

ALEXANDRA FÖRSTERLING, LET Player, AGM Title Defender & Winner of Four Tour Titles

„You can tell that everyone is really excited about this – not just because it’s a home tournament, but because so many things are just right.“

Alexandra Försterling isn’t just a local favorite – she’s the defending champion. Last year, she secured her first home victory at the Amundi German Masters – one of now four LET titles, including the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open, the Mallorca Ladies Open, and the Aramco Team Series Tampa. And in 2024, she’s competing again – on familiar terrain, with growing pressure and increasing presence.

„I think it’s cool that we’re playing on a course where the men of the DP World Tour also compete. It shows that we play at the same level – and it makes things even more exciting from a sporting perspective.“

Försterling knows Green Eagle as a spectator at the European Open 2024 – now she’s part of the setup. And right in the media spotlight, which is increasingly turning toward women’s golf.

„You can definitely notice that something has changed – in perception, in attention. And tournaments like this help enormously to push that further.„

Of course, the pressure of expectations increases – especially as the defending champion. But Försterling handles it proactively.

„I prefer when there’s something happening, when you feel support – it pushes me. And I think many people are surprised by how good the level is – when they finally see it live.„

What particularly pleases her: the growing interest beyond the golf bubble.

More fans on site. More media. More people who no longer perceive women’s golf as a side program. A home tournament helps enormously: short distances, familiar faces, familiar language – and above all: family and friends at the course.

Nevertheless, her outlook remains professional. The North Course isn’t there to fall in love with – but to master. „You really have to manage the course well – it’s not enough to just play aggressively.„

Strategy, patience, length off the tee – and preferably no false ego on the greens. 

„It’s not a course you play in passing – and that’s exactly why it’s perfect for a tournament like this.„

TEXT & INTERVIEWS
SOFERN NICHT ANDERS DEKLARIERT:

Gerrit kleinfeld
@Just Great Work
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FOTOS & VIDEOS
SOFERN NICHT ANDERS DEKLARIERT:

GERRIT KLEINFELD
@Just Great Work
_

DESIGN, GRAFIKEN, ILLUS SOFERN NICHT ANDERS DEKLARIERT:

Petra Prottengeier
@Just Great Work
_

WEBDESIGN / CODING SOFERN NICHT ANDERS DEKLARIERT:

Ivan Zelenika
@Just Great Work