Westman Island London - Arabstoday The Westman Island golf club is the third oldest in Iceland, founded 4th of Desember 1938 by 36 dedicated people. To begin with, Herjólfsdalur, was the settlement for the first 6 holes. Only year after a small clubhouse was finished in the east part of the valley and then enlargened in 1945. In 1962 the course boasted full 9 holes. National celibration in Herjólfsdalur forced the members to seek out new land south of the valley and in continuance of that a new clubhouse was built. The old house is now used as lodging cabin for travellers. The catastrophic eruption in 1973 changed all plans regarding the new clubhouse and the game of golf as volcanic ashes covered the whole cours. Temporary course of 6 holes replaced the 9 hole course until all ashes had been removed and that took full 4 years. In 1989 a new elegant clubhouse was built as an addition to the old one. Long before the eruption in 1973 decisions had been made to add another 9 holes but the came not to reality until 1994. The old course was left almost unchanged but the new layout was built on the seashore. The design is considered to be extraordinary in a magnificent surrounding where birds are in perfect harmony with the Atlantic ocean on one side and the rough shore on the other. Sometimes golfers just forget that they are playing for score in this land of contrasts. In 2001 the clubhouse was enlargened once again. Golf Digest ranks the course in Vestman Islands as one of the best 200 courses in Europe. The course is demanding, especially the back 9 holes, but once you have tried you will surtainly be back. The mild climate in Vestman Islands during the winter makes it even possible to play the whole eyar.