Twenty years ago a golf holiday to the Czech Republic would never have been considered - but now it's a totally different story. And having experienced the delights on offer, I can honestly say the country in now a must visit destination for golfers who travel abroad to satisfy their passion for playing the game in continental Europe. After decades of Communist rule, the change over to democracy has to be seen to believed. Yes, Prague does have a reputation for its nightlife, attracting stag and hen parties from all over, but travel 120 km west from the capital, and the beautiful region of Bohemia awaits. This is the Spa Triangle of Karlovy Vary and Frantiskovy Lazne, where prospectors, pilgrims, spa enthusiasts and nature lovers have been visitors for centuries. The minerals in the spa waters found in this region are so abundantly rich, they attract royalty and the famous from all over the world. And now, with the arrival of cheap air travel, everyone can experience the delights Bohemia has to offer. The region has a long history of brewing, glass-blowing, porcelain-making and catering and combined with a large number of quality hotels and restaurants, it is a perfect holiday destination both on and off the golf courses. A return two-hour flight on Easyjet, direct from Newcastle to Prague costs under £100 and that includes airport taxes and insurance. You will need transport, but car hire, like most things in the Czech Republic is considerably cheaper than most places. The journey to Bohemia takes approximately an hour and a half but the roads are quiet and it is an enjoyable drive through the delightful countryside. On our recent trip, we stayed at the Butterfly Hotel in Marianske Lazne. This four star hotel is situated in the heart of the town and within a short drive of a number of golf courses, including the two oldest clubs in the Czech Republic, Golf Club Karlovy Vary and the Royal GC Marianske Lazne. The hotel is more than comfortable, the food excellent, and guests receive free entry to a swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna and fitness centre. The second oldest course in the country is the Royal at Marianske Lazne. Opened in 1905 by His Majesty King Edward V11, a regular visitor to the region, this beautifully manicured course has evolved over the years into a very fine test and has to be played. The American General Patton whose forces liberated Bohemia had to personally search for his staff officers who regardless of the war situation had fallen in love with the course. The course is not long by today's standards, just over 6400 yards, but it requires accuracy on every hole - the mostly flat fairways are densely tree-lined and littered with bunkers. The well protected greens are relatively small and although a little on the slow side, very good putting surfaces. The pick of the holes for me were the 11th and 16th. Nearly 450 yards, the par 4 11th has to be one of the narrowest and difficult two-shotters I have ever come across - very easy to run up a triple bogey or worse. And the 16th, a pretty downhill par 4, with a tricky well-protected green and a pond on the right coming into play from the tee. Externally the clubhouse has kept its traditional Victorian looks but inside, the facilities are right upto date and second to none. In recent years, the club has hosted major european amateur and professional events such as the European Amateur Championship in 1993, European PGA tour events in 1994, 1995 and 1996 and European Senior Team Championship in 2001. Founded in 1904, Karlovy Vary Golf Club is the oldest in the Czech Republic. The course is located on rolling hillside and as it winds its way through the Bohemian Forest, players are treated to lovely views of the surrounding countryside. Over 6500 yards off the back tees, this is another course requiring long accurate tee-shots and accurate approach play. Water comes into play on a number of holes, including the 4th and 17th - two very fine par 3's. The 225 yard 4th is played downhill to a very tricky green with a pond front and left. The 215 yard 17th is slightly uphill, over water and believe me, it plays all of its distance plus a bit more. The modern clubhouse proudly overlooks the course where you can relax and enjoy the very fine cuisine and local beer. As for one of the new courses, Golf Club Sokolov is definately worth playing. This championship course with a par 72 is over 7000 yards off the back tees and has potential to become a host for a European Tour event in the future. The course has been developed on monotonous "moon land" that was formerly a huge coal mining area by the German company Stadler Golf Courses. The result is a very fine collection of golf holes requiring your game to be at its very best to avoid disaster. The downhill par 3 5th is a stunner - very nealy an island green, there is little room for error at this one. The long par 5 8th is a risk and reward hole where the brave are given a chance to take on a carry over a wide lake, and the 11th, a terrific downhill par 3 might not be reachable for some, even with a driver! And the Czech Republic has recently been declared "Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year" at the 7th IAGTO Awards held during the International Golf Travel Market in Marbella Spain. This success was achieved on the back of a 2005 nomination for the award and on the occasion of only the country's second time at the trade fair, a feat no other country has ever achieved. "This is the result of a joint effort by Czech Tourism and the Czech Golf Travel Association to promote Czech golf on an international level. Winning the award brings with it a certain feel-good factor, as well as a number of obligations and the necessity to respond to international interest on a national level. Now the Czech Republic is perceived and viewed as a golf destination which means business; this creates a necessity to focus on its development in this respect. Czech Tourism will do everything it can to support golf companies and organisations and thus strengthen Czech golf's position abroad," said the head of Czech Tourism, Rostislav Vondruska. The Czech Republic is experiencing an extraordinary golf boom, and I have to say I am looking forward to returning to the region to sample more of their outstanding courses. --------------------------------------------------------- Factfile Name: Golf Course Sokolov
Address: Ke Golfu 445, 356 04 Dolni Rychnov
Telephone: +420 352 661 057
Fax: +420 352 661 100
E-mail: svarcova@sokolov.cz
Web Site: www.golf-sokolov.cz
Green Fees: 18 holes weekdays - 1.100CZK approx £26
18 holes weekends - 1.300CZK approx £31
Buggy Hire: 1.000CZK approx £24 a round
Electric Trolley: 250CZK approx £5 a round Name: Royal GC Marianske Lazne
Address: P.O. Box 47, 353 01 Marianske Lazne
Telephone: +420 354 604 300, +420 354 624 300
Fax: +420 354 625 195
E-mail: golf@telecom.cz , office@golfml.cz
Web Site: www.golf.cz
Green Fees: 18 holes weekdays - 1.450CZK approx £34.50
18 holes weekends - 1.650CZK approx £39
Groups Discounts (10 or more) weekdays - 1.250 CZK approx £29.50, weekends - 1.450CZK approx £34.50
Buggy Hire: None available
Electric Trolley: 3.00CZK approx £7 a round
Handicap: All players must be in possession of a current handicap certificate Name: Golf Club Karlovy Vary
Address: Prazska 125, 360 01 Karlovy Vary
Fax: +420 353 331 101
E-mail: recepce@golfresort.cz
Web Site: www.golfresort.cz
Green Fees: 18 holes (Mon - Sun) - 1.650CZK approx £39
Buggy Hire: 200CZK per hour approx £4.70
Electric Trolley: 200CZK per round approx £4.70 Name: Hotel Villa Butterfly ****
Address: Hlavni 655, 353 01 Marianske Lazne
Telephone: +420 354 654 111 or +420 354 654 300
E-Mail: villabutterfly@badmarienbad.cz
Web Site: www.marienbad.cz
Prices: Prices are per person per night and include breakfast start from:-
Double superior - £46 (Single occupancy - £59)
Suites - £62
Half Board available £6 extra
Stay 7 nights or more 10% discount applies
Various golf packages are available and include The Royal - 3 nights B & B in a luxury room, 1 festive dinner in La Fontaine restaurant, 1 regeneration massage, 2 rounds of golf at the Royal starting from approx £225 per person based on two sharing Flights: Easyjet operate a daily flight from Newcastle to Prague
Web Site: www.easyjet.com | 
Golfing Destinations
