Golf under floodlights: The Rothenbach Residence sets new standards

The Golfclub Residenz Rothenbach in Wassenberg is breaking new ground on the German golf scene: it is the first course in the country to be fully equipped with floodlights - a real milestone for ambitious golfers with a tight time budget. Since January 2021, the club has been run by Rothenbacher Golfbetreiber GmbH under entrepreneur Eduard Müllenbruch, who set a strong signal for the future with the innovative lighting system.

Thanks to insect-friendly LED technology, golfers can now also go out for a round after work - playing under floodlights is possible until 10 pm. The light is activated by a buzzer at each hole, which switches it on for 15 minutes - efficient and energy-saving. The path lighting also reacts to movement, and the entire system will soon be powered by solar energy. Members use the floodlights free of charge, guests pay a small surcharge on top of the green fee.

A challenging 9-hole layout

The 9-hole course, which can also be played as an 18-hole round, impresses with its well thought-out design and clever challenges. A precise teeshot over water through a narrow tree aisle awaits on hole 1. The course is rather narrow overall - ideal for players who can control their length. It is often advisable to forego the Driver and instead score points with strategy and accuracy. Challenging doglegs, elevated greens, water hazards and cleverly placed bunkers characterize the layout. Particularly striking: hole 8 with a heavily offset green behind water and trees - a real headache even for experienced players. The final hole, a short Par-5 with an almost 90-degree dogleg, challenges the player with a tactically demanding layout right up to the last shot.

Sustainability and new playing times

It is not just the playing concept that is impressive: the course shows how sustainability and innovation can go hand in hand in golf. The use of solar power, insect-friendly lighting and the efficient use of energy set an example for modern club management. People who wear glasses also benefit from the glare-free lighting - an often underestimated advantage.

With floodlighting, the Rothenbach residence creates completely new playing times, particularly attractive for working people and year-round players. The season is extended considerably in the fall and winter - a concept that sets an example. The club impressively proves that golf can also work outside the classic 9-to-5 time slot. A round after sunset? No longer a problem in Wassenberg.