Someone once said, “Golf is a lot of walking, broken up by disappointment and bad arithmetic.” For those who have spent countless hours chasing the little white ball, the disappointment may be inevitable and the bad arithmetic a question of integrity.

However, for the privileged who have done their walkingalong the 18 holes at the Golf Club Karlovy Vary, it is almost certain that one will leave with a smile seemingly wider than any fairway found at the renowned resort.

Situated just five kilometers from the famous spa town’s city center, the Golf Club Karlovy Vary is one of the oldest and most picturesque in all of Central Europe. Nestled in the scenic “Krušné hory” mountain range, the resort lies at just over 600 meters above sea level and is less than a twohour drive from downtown Prague.

The original club and its 9-hole course was established back in 1904, but the 18-hole championship course that currently awaits golfers was designed and built under the guidance of French architect C. Noskowski starting in 1933. Unfortunately, economic depression and World War II prevented completion including the clubhouse. Finally, the club saw its rebirth in the Spring of 1949, but still staggered along as one of the few in Czechoslovakia for many years. Major renovations undertaken as recently as 1996 and 2004 are responsible for shaping the lay-out and design that exists today.

Luboš Štika has resided as Head Golf Pro at Karlovy Vary since 1997, and he is likewise a major contributor to the rapid success and overall growth that the sport has seen nationally in recent years. “There are now more than 15,000 golfers in the Czech Republic… not too long ago in the early 1990s there used to be only around 800. The popularity grows more and more every year,” said Stika.

Back in those early ‘90s there were only three courses in the country, but that number has quickly risen to the current total of approximately 70, 25 of which are 18 hole runs. Despite the recent competition, most seem to agree that Karlovy Vary remains near the top of the leaderboard.

“I’ve played many courses around the world, but this course is still the nicest for me and one of the best,” said Štika. “It’s not so easy to play. You must be very exact and always think about hitting the right club. The greens are very tricky and you must try to see the putt line very well before putting. Also, the longest shot isn’t the best one – you must place the ball very carefully on each and every hole.”

According to Štika, the signature hole is the 17th, a Par 3 which plays 193-meters from the championship tees and 151 from the normal ones. Players hit from a raised tee as the hole slopes uphill to a tough green guarded by a front left and right bunker. Go long or left and you’ll find the trees.

Other challenging holes at Karlovy Vary include the 360-meter, Par 4 16th and the Par 5 6th – at 505 meters from the championship tees, it’s also the club’s longest. At 16, a sharp dogleg left, players are faced with a daunting tee shot where placement is critical. A long and narrow green with water nearby makes for a difficult approach. The monster 6th is a dogleg right playing to a small green protected by bunkers on both sides. Overall, the hilly, Par 72 course plays 5,731 meters from the normal tees and 6,167 from the championship ones.

Presenting considerable challenge in an idyllic setting, it’s not surprising that the venerable course has attracted an A-list of the sport’s Who’s Who in the Czech Republic. President Klaus has been known to show up for a few lessons, PGA Tour Professional Alex Čejka has honed his game here, and Czech hockey legend Ivan Hlinka was a regular before his passing in 2004. Other politicians, actors and celebrities have lost balls in the Karlovy Vary roughs as well.

Two other factors at Karlovy Vary have significantly influenced the sport’s rapid growth in recent times: a variety of tournaments held almost every weekend May thru October, and the staff’s dedication and commitment to the youth movement. In 2007 alone, a whopping 54 tournaments are slated. In past years the resort has also played host to marquee events such as the European Seniors Championship and the International European Women’s Championship. Currently, a proposal is in the works to bring the highly competitive Challenge Tour to town.

In July, the Karlovy Vary Junior International will attract many of the sport’s rising stars. “The quality of the young players is so much better now,” added Štika. “At each golf club there is bigger and bigger potential for them. Here at Karlovy Vary, we now have more than 80 players between the ages of 5 and 16 years old. The best young player from Karlovy Vary is Lukáš Tintěra. At 22, he is already on the National Team, and last year in South Africa he had some of the best results in the history of Czech golf.”

For those venturing to town, a round of 18-holes costs CZK 1,800 and a nine-hole game costs CZK 1,100. If golf isn’t your game of choice, watch others struggle while enjoying drinks on the spacious terrace offering views of the 18th green and holes 1, 2, 3 and 13. The resort’s restaurant seats 60 guests and the VIP dining room accommodates 30. At the first floor lounge, you can watch sports on the tube, play a game of pool, or just lie to friends about your best round ever.

If you’d rather be pampered or just want to ease the muscles after a round of 18, make sure to visit the brand new Aquila Wellness Club. In this luxurious complex, you can hit the whirlpool, take a steam bath or unwind with a 60-minute sport massage for CZK 580.

So whether you aspire to be the next Tiger Woods or just want to take in the scenery and enjoy some rest and relaxation in the mountains, The Golf Resort Karlovy Vary has plenty to offer. And that’s why players been coming back for more than 100 years.