Österåker (Öster by Stenson)

The six-foot putt rattled into the back of the hole on the 18th, securing a tie for us Brits in a four-match series against our Swedish hosts.

Öster (East) by Stenson was the inaugural redesigned course at Österåkers Golfklubb, 25 miles north of central Stockholm.

By 2026, it will be complemented by Väster (West), designed by the former Open champion and his partner, Christian Lundin.

This vast complex, situated next to the 276 motorway, is part of a club that fosters golf development to the highest standard, with meticulous attention to service.

With 2,000 members, the superb, Trackman-enhanced practice area was teeming with golfers of all ages honing their skills.

Meanwhile, the modern clubhouse, where we enjoyed an invigorating lunch, exuded an American country club ambience.

We were fortunate to play with two members who guided us around the Öster.

Its design evokes a blend of Robert Trent Jones and American TPC courses.

As it's a new course, the 7,000 planted trees are still saplings, and the rough remains low, meaning its true character will evolve.

The opening hole is a friendly par-four, featuring bunkers down the right and guarding a large green on the left.

Our hosts warned us that the dogleg second hole was tough, though this wasn't immediately apparent as our drives sailed down the middle, leaving only a pitch to the pin.

However, a recurring theme on the Öster course is the presence of steep banks on perched greens that can deflect the ball, along with well-placed bunkers in front of the target.

I quickly understood the "doom-mongers" when I landed in sand and thinned my shot across the green.

Fortunately, Mrs. W held up the British end and won the hole.

The noise from the motorway on this section of the course was distracting, and the brand-new supermarket behind the third hole certainly didn't enhance the aesthetic.

However, the challenge of the fourth hole quickly refocused attention on the game.

This par-three plays over a lake, offering significant reward for those who risk it, or the potential for their ball to plunge into the depths.

From this point onward, water is omnipresent, dramatically increasing the course's challenge.

The fifth is a par-five that cuts around the lake to the right, while the sixth is an intriguing par-four with a large rock in front of the water on the right.

All fairways are undulating, and an unlucky bounce could turn a seemingly good drive into a watery demise.

The eighth is a strategic par-five with out-of-bounds down the right before the fairway narrows to a mere sliver left of a fairway bunker.

Those who aim directly at the green risk finding their ball in the clingy rough or a sand trap. Bunkers and run-offs await those who overshoot.

The ninth is a picturesque hole. Water lines the entire left side and a trio of bunkers on the right. The green is cut against the lake, its entrance narrowed by a sand trap.

I found the latter and was too tentative with my recovery, fearing over-hitting into the water.

The halfway hut at Österåkers Golfklubb is undoubtedly a contender for the best we've experienced. It's akin to a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, and we thoroughly enjoyed a cold beer on a hot day.

The back nine on the Öster is stronger than the outward section.

The 13th is a par-five with a left-hand side tight to the lake from tee to green.

Bunkers and rough to the right can deceive the eye, making the landing area appear smaller.

One of our opponents played it to perfection, leaving a four-footer for birdie, which, of course, I insisted on seeing into the hole.

Our early four-hole lead became precarious when we reached the 15th, a par-three with water on the green’s left, right, and rear.

Fortunately, my club selection was spot on, and I nailed a nervy par for a half.

The 16th is a cracking short dogleg par-four with a lake on the left feeding into a stream that runs diagonally across the fairway.

Thus, club selection and precision off the tee are paramount before attacking a green that falls from back to front.

The 17th is equally challenging, with another mid-fairway brook coming into play before approaching a perched green with a dramatic fall-off to the right.

Games will surely be won and lost here, but we held to our one-hole advantage.

We then ascended an escarpment to the tees for the 18th—a stunning par-five with water all down the right and bunkers awaiting those who bail out to the left.

One of our hosts thought he had found the lake, but his ball was in the reeds.

He managed a fantastic recovery, leading to a par that evened a great game.

We thoroughly enjoyed Öster By Stenson, but couldn't help feeling it will truly come into its own as it matures. We eagerly anticipate what The West course will bring.