The Czech Republic is strengthening its potential as a European golf destination. Golf tourism is one of the important sources of income in the tourism industry. Golf is gaining popularity among both domestic and foreign tourists. In this regard, the Czech Republic can entertain the whole family. The position of the unequivocal leader in Eastern Europe is currently confirmed by the opening of the largest golf destination in the country – 55 HOLES Golf Destination, which was created by connecting two golf resorts, Prosper Golf Resort Čeladná, and Golf & Ski Resort Ostravice.
Golf has a rich and long history in the Czech Republic. We can boast of three roughly century-old playgrounds. One of the oldest golf courses in continental Europe is the Royal Golf Club in Mariánské Lázně, which was inaugurated in 1905 by the British King Edward VII. In 2007, the Czech Republic received the title “Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year” from the International Golf Travel Writers Association. There are currently more than 100 courses and roughly 200 golf clubs in the country. Foreign tourists most often go to the Central Bohemian, Moravian-Silesian, and Karlovy Vary regions for this sport. Domestic golfers then go to Central Bohemia, Karlovy Vary, and the Ústí Region.
“Golf tourism has huge potential and fits into the concept of promoting the Czech Republic as a destination suitable for active tourism. A golf holiday with us doesn’t have to be just about golf. We have castles, chateaux, beautiful nature, and all this can be combined with this sport. In other words, we can entertain the whole family. Even if, for example, one of their members is not looking for golf. Travelers can thus divide the day into parts, spend it according to their preferences, and then enjoy relaxation together, for example in the wellness spa. Or, on the contrary, they can go to the playground and combine their visit with a trip to, for example, a nearby castle,” says František Reismüller, director of the Czech Tourism Center – CzechToursim.
As already mentioned – this year’s golf event is the opening of the 55 HOLES Golf Destination. Adherents of the traditional game on the green can play on three 18-hole championship courses. They have two restaurants, three hotels, and two conference halls for organizing social events and conferences or wellness. In other words, this is an example of an activity where the country offers comprehensive services.
“In the context of the Czech Republic’s offer for golfers, it is a unique combination of beautiful nature, cultural monuments and other leisure opportunities. In short, the whole family can come to the Czech Republic, and even directly to North Moravia, and everyone will find something for themselves. The opening of a new destination takes your golf vacation to the next level. The unique golf destination 55 Holes Golf Destination is unique not only in its area, but also in its services, the untouched nature of the Beskydy Mountains and a number of attractions in the immediate vicinity, from traditional culture in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm to the modern face of Ostrava with technical uniques,” says the director of the product management department, České head office of the tourism industry – CzechTourism Veronika Janečková.
One of the goals of 55 Holes Golf Destination is to increase the attractiveness of the Moravian-Silesian region not only for Czech golfers and tourists but also to address foreign clientele and increase awareness of the region in foreign markets. Very good cooperation with the Moravian-Silesian Region, Destination North Moravia, and CzechTourism helps in this.
“Golf is one of the cornerstones of tourism in our region. We definitely welcome the fact that the region will be proud of the largest golf destination in the Czech Republic. Linking golf courses is an important undertaking in the tourism industry, which will help improve the image of our tourist destination North Moravia. I believe that this significant investment in golf infrastructure will attract even more visitors to us and strengthen not only our position on the map of golf destinations, but also the awareness of the destination North Moravia as a great holiday area with a rich network of services and quality facilities for leisure activities.” adds Petr Koudela, executive director of Moravian-Silesian Tourism.
“We are very happy that after many years we can take advantage of the unique situation where two of the most important golf resorts in the Czech Republic are so close together. By combining them into joint products and services, the most significant golf destination in our country can thus be created. The great thing is that thanks to our reinforcement, the Spanish coach Gonzálo Sanchez, from the very beginning with international overlap. The news is all the more that Prosper Golf Čeladná has undergone an extensive renovation and is ready for the new season in better condition, not only technically, but also in terms of the services it offers to golfers and other guests,” says General Manager of Prosper Golf Resort Čeladná Jan Kastner.
For some time now, golf has been among the most sought-after sporting experiences in the Czech Republic for a wide range of people of all ages and social groups. Lovers of holes in the country will find excellently equipped golf resorts, championship courses, training academies, indoor simulators and golf courses. New courses are added every year, where you can relax perfectly on the green. The Kudy z nudy web portal also offers tips for inspiration.
“In the beginning, golf tourism was predominantly a male affair. Currently, the general Czech golfing population is divided into 70% men and 30% women. As part of golf tourism, couples most often travel – a man and a woman who both play golf. Or groups of couples. And mixed or all-female groups continue to seek golf. The newest group in golf tourism is families. As a rule, it happens with them that, for example, three out of five family members play golf. It is important for them to have sufficient infrastructure available, including practice fields or golf academies,” says the president of the Czech Golf Federation, Vratislav Janda.
The Czech Republic also supports golf tourism as part of youth support within the project “Going to Golf School”. Some schools have even included this sport in their curriculum.