Saliena Golf

Saliena Golf sits in Babite, a municipality just southwest of Riga in the flat, forested landscape typical of Latvia's central region. The course was designed by Pekka Wesamaa in collaboration with Jack Nicklaus, bringing together Scandinavian regional expertise and the design principles of one of golf's most accomplished architects. The layout reflects Nicklaus's characteristic emphasis on strategic shot values and generous but well-defended greens, adapted to the Baltic terrain. The property occupies gently rolling ground interspersed with pine and birch forest, creating natural corridors and framing for holes. Water features appear throughout the routing, both as hazards and landscape elements, while bunkers are positioned to reward precise placement and penalize wayward shots. The relatively modest elevation changes allow for walkable golf while still providing variety in stance and perspective. The design takes advantage of the site's natural drainage and sandy subsoil, conditions favorable for firm playing surfaces. Saliena serves as one of the more prominent golf facilities in the Baltics, a region where the sport has grown steadily since the 1990s. The club offers year-round amenities suited to the northern climate, with a season that typically runs from late spring through autumn. Its proximity to Riga makes it accessible for both local members and visitors exploring golf in the Baltic states, where courses remain relatively few compared to Western Europe.