Keilir Golf Club, located in Hafnarfjörður, Iceland, is one of the country’s most respected golf venues. The club required a full refurbishment of its bunkers to enhance playability, consistency, and visual impact. Traditional revetted bunker construction was chosen to provide both durability and a links-style aesthetic fitting with Iceland’s volcanic landscape.

Scope
Rebuild and modernise bunkers using revetted construction to improve durability, playability, and visual definition under Icelandic conditions.

Objectives

• Modernise bunker construction across the course

• Implement revetted faces to improve structural stability

• Maintain strategic intent and course character

• Deliver long-lasting, low-maintenance solutions

Assessment & Design

• Surveyed existing bunkers to identify erosion, sand contamination, and face instability

• Refined bunker positioning and shaping to improve visibility, strategy, and shot value

Construction & Revetting

• Full excavation and reshaping of bunker cavities

• Traditional revetted faces built with layered turf for strength and longevity

• Sand depths set to tournament-standard specifications

Outcome

• Durable, visually defined revetted bunkers

• Improved strategic play and links-style aesthetics

• Increased resistance to erosion and washouts

• Reduced long-term maintenance input

Context

Delivered as part of Tom Mackenzie’s back-nine redesign, this project demonstrates how traditional revetted construction can be applied with modern execution to enhance performance, durability, and identity in demanding environments.