Golf Club Adamstal Franz Wittmann

Adamstal Franz Wittmann Golf Club is a prestigious golf club located in Ramsau, Lower Austria. It was founded by Franz Wittmann, a former rally driver and president of the Austrian Golf Association. The club features two courses: the 18-hole Championship Course and the 9-hole Wallerbach Course, both designed by Canadian architect Jeff Howes. The club is known for its spectacular setting, challenging layout, and immaculate maintenance. It is a member of the Leading Golf Courses and has hosted several professional tournaments, including the Euram Bank Open on the European Tour.

Introduction

Golf and rally driving may seem like two very different sports, but for Franz Wittmann, they are both passions that have shaped his life. Wittmann is considered the most successful rally driver in Austria, with 12 national championship titles, 13 victories in the Jaenner Rallye, and a historic win in the World Championship run in New Zealand in 1987. But Wittmann is not only a speed enthusiast, he is also an avid golfer since 1987, and the owner and founder of one of the most spectacular golf courses in Europe: Adamstal Franz Wittmann Golf Club.

The Club

Adamstal Franz Wittmann Golf Club is situated at the foot of the Unterberg mountain, in the middle of the most wooded region in Central Europe, in Lilienfeld. The club is named after the Adamstal valley, where Wittmann used to drive his rally car as a young boy. The club was established in 1995, after Wittmann acquired the land from a farmer and hired Jeff Howes, a disciple of Jack Nicklaus, to design the courses. Howes, who had previously worked on projects such as Mount Juliet and Killeen Castle in Ireland, was impressed by the natural beauty and diversity of the site, and created two courses that fit immaculately into the landscape.

The club offers 27 holes of golf, divided into two courses: the Championship Course and the Wallerbach Course. The Championship Course is an 18-hole course that stretches over 6,218 meters and has a par of 72. The course is known for being quite challenging, as it features narrow fairways, steep slopes, water hazards, and tricky greens. The course is also very scenic, as it offers stunning views of the Alps and the surrounding forests. The course has hosted several professional tournaments, such as the Austrian Open in 2006, the Challenge Tour Grand Final in 2010, and the Euram Bank Open in 2023 and 2024.

The Wallerbach Course is a 9-hole course that covers 2,945 meters and has a par of 36. The course is a delightful experience, as each hole has its distinct character. The course is also suitable for e-carts, making it an exceptional and unforgettable experience. The course is named after the Wallerbach stream, which runs through the course and adds to its charm.

The club also boasts a beautiful, restored late 19th century clubhouse, which offers excellent guest accommodation for golfers wishing to stay and enjoy the delights of Adamstal beyond a single round of golf. The clubhouse has 14 rooms, each with a unique style and atmosphere. The clubhouse also has a restaurant, a bar, a pro shop, and a golf school. The club prides itself on its hospitality, quality, and service, and strives to make every guest feel welcome and comfortable.

The Founder

Franz Wittmann was born in 1950 in Vienna, and grew up in a family of car enthusiasts. His father, Franz Wittmann Sr., was a successful rally driver and a car dealer, who introduced his son to the world of motorsport. Wittmann Jr. started his rally career in 1974, driving a Volkswagen Beetle. He soon progressed to more powerful cars, such as the Lancia Stratos, the Audi Quattro, and the Toyota Celica. He became a national hero in Austria, winning 12 national championship titles, 13 times the Jaenner Rallye, and becoming the first Austrian to win a World Rally Championship event, in New Zealand in 1987. He also competed in the Dakar Rally and the Paris-Moscow-Beijing Rally, showing his versatility and endurance.

Wittmann retired from rally driving in 1992, but remained involved in the sport as a team manager, a commentator, and a mentor for young drivers. He also pursued his other passion: golf. He started playing golf in 1987, after a friend invited him to a golf course in Spain. He was immediately hooked by the game, and decided to build his own golf course in his homeland. He bought the land in Adamstal, where he used to practice his rally skills as a teenager, and transformed it into a golf paradise. He also became the president of the Austrian Golf Association from 2006 to 2013, and was instrumental in promoting the sport and supporting young talents in Austria.

Wittmann is married to Elisabeth, who is also a keen golfer and a former rally co-driver. They have two children, Franziska and Franz, who are both involved in the management of the club. Wittmann is still an active golfer, and enjoys playing with his friends and guests at Adamstal. He is also a generous and humble person, who supports various charitable causes and initiatives. He is widely respected and admired by the golf and rally communities, and by the people of Austria.

Baden bei Wien, Austria