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Play in Prague and Golf in the Czech Republic
Arriving in Prague is like taking a step back in time to a magical place. The city is built into the side of a mountain and has a wondrous charm and stunning beauty. Prague Castle sits at the top and the city evolves down to the Vltava River with its seven bridges. It has a history of being a cultural force in the development of the contemporary Czech Republic with an emphasis on filmmaking. For the past decade Prague has been a buzzing filmmaking center. Twenty five big budget films have been produced in the city and surrounding country side.
The surprise is the long tradition of golf in the Czech Republic. Driving to the courses you discover the beauty of hills and undulating landscapes filled with colorful poppies but the opium of the country is golf. The first golf courses were established to the west of Prague in the spa towns of Karlovy Vary in 1904 and Marianski Lazne in 1905 before the existence of the Czech Republic.
 One of the newest courses is the Golf Resort Konopiste which opened in 2002 and is located only 44 miles southeast of Prague. The course now boasts 27 Championship holes with another 9 holes to be opened in the fall of this year. The facility does not have carts available only caddies or pull carts. The terrain is extremely hilly, cut into a forest and yet sympathetic to the average golfer. The hotel is a refurbished Manor House and an excellent property to play golf and visit the city of Prague.
Karlstejn Castle is 45 minutes from Prague and the Golf Resort Karlstejn hosted the PGA Golf Tour in 1997 and the Czech Open on several occasions. There are 18 challenging holes with wide fairways and tricky greens along with several ponds. It is a memorable experience with the castle as a backdrop and the sloping countryside surrounding the course.
Karlovy Vary is the largest Bohemian spa town in the country. Situated in a winding river valley huddled between verdant hills, the town has a wonderfully evocative, aristocratic feel, left over from the days of nobility. The area sits in a magnificent setting of the Krusene Hory mountain range just 65 miles west of Prague. The most prominent feature in the area now is its ten golf courses.
The Golf Resort Karlovy Vary is an 18 hole course built in 1933 and has hosted many International competitions. It is considered one of the oldest and nicest golf courses in central Europe today. The course has 780 members and top notch service. This parkland golf course is a par 72 challenging 5900 yards for women and 6800 yards for men, just as difficult. The number one handicap hole is the sixth hole a par five 470 yards for women and 530 yards for men. It is a dogleg right with a large hump at the bend and trees, trees, trees. Water comes into play on the 17th par three 148 yards for women and 166 yards for men. The course is spread in the valley of the Tepla Stream so there is often a call for your over the water shots.
 Onto the next unique golfing experience, originated by King Edward VII at the Royal Golf Club Marianski Lazne. The golf course and links were established in 1905. The course suffers slightly due to the high elevations above sea level but it is very well maintained. It is a flat parkland course and a good challenge for every type of golfer. The European PGA Tour has held several events at the course in the past few years with top world players attending. This 18 hole par 72 course is 5,982 yards for women and 6,748 yards for men. The second hole is a par 5 with 440 yards for women and 486 for men; it is the 16 handicap hole, which seems very generous on paper. It has a risk reward factor in attempting to reach the green in two with a long down hill shot towards the. water in both the front of the green and the left side of the green.
The seventh hole is par 4 number 2 handicap 370 yards for women and 457 yards for men. The challenge is twofold, there is a creek running through the fairway in the landing area off the tee box and the second shot goes to an elevated green directly uphill from the landing area.
The Astoria Golf Club designed by Gary Player was established in 1995. It is on the way between the two most famous spa towns of Karlovy Vary and Marianski Lazne. Built in the valley of the river Tepla, it is only 1250 feet above sea level. The course has ten of its eighteen championship holes that bring water into play and sand bunkers to keep your game focused. The facility has a Golf Academy, all the amenities for day and weekend guests, a modern club house with showers and caddies. A full service driving range and a pitch and putt course for beginners.
While it would be nice to describe to you each of the courses in this area, it would take a full book. Stay and play in the Karlovy Vary Region and have an opportunity to play the City Golf & Racing Club, the Golf Resort Frantiskoby Lazne, the Golf Resort Lazne Kynzvart, the Golf Club Sokolov, and the Golf Club Luby. These courses have all been built between 1994 and 2005 by prominent golf architects. The area has been known for its historical monuments, spas and culture but golf has become the opiate.
The Golf Hotel & Resort at Darovansky dvor is the reconstruction of a family farm dating back to the 17th century and has been the property of the same family for over 100 years. It is located in the beautiful and peaceful countryside of the natural preserve of Horni Berounka, near the city of Plzen. The 27 hole golf course, while not a championship course, is fun to play. They have named each of the nines very appropriately Panorama, St. Ann and Lakes. With wide fairways, deep bunkers and large greens set amongst pleasant scenery, it will make for a successful golfing day.
The resort complex is unique and family friendly. They have an additional short nine hole course, 3 tennis courts, stables with horses to ride, an indoor swimming pool heated by solar collectors in a glassed in building with views of the countryside and a wellness centre with a sauna, Jacuzzi and a small fitness room. The restaurant has an original 300 year old “black kitchen” that serves up some very tasty meals.
Down the road about a 10 minute drive is the region of Pilsen established in 2002, and home to 550 thousand people. In 2002 the region developed a coat-of-arms and a banner representing the importance of the area in the development of the new Czech Republic. It is known as the region of people and traditions. With the advent of new technologies, Pilsen has embraced a global economy with a very low unemployment rate. There is a Research Centre at the University of West Bohemia for the advancements of nuclear and transport equipment. Pilzen is the place, where in 1842, the golden lager that the whole world has been trying to imitate, originated. Pilsner Urquell is produced in this area and it is a treat to visit the brewery and learn how the original beer was made through the ages and how it is now produced. The tasting part is always the best.
On the outskirts of Pilsen is a new golf resort located close to the village of Dysina. Open to the golfing public in August 2004 it boasts an 18 hole championship course, par 71, which blends into the beautiful landscape. The fully irrigated course is set amongst numerous birch and alder groves by the Klabava River and a lovely lake. The design resembles the Old Course in St. Andrews in that the holes are arranged in a row one after the other. The most spectacular hole in Golf Park Plzen is hole number 11 – a short par 3 with a semi-island green in the Ejpovice Lake. It truly is a jewel of a golf course including the large practice grounds, historic clubhouse, a modern restaurant with two terraces and a wine cellar par excellance.
Venture off the beaten path and you see visions of castles and kings with quaint villages alongside beautiful landscapes, health spas, puppet shows and beer gardens and the music of Dvorak in the background. The adventure in this country is seeing a glimpse of Old Europe – untouched by time where the atmosphere is of a lovely open air museum. The Czech Republic is known for its wellness centers, it’s Bohemian Crystal and now it’s over 100 wonderful golf courses. So, let’s play golf in Czech……
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