Albatross Golf Resort, the host venue of the D+D REAL Czech Masters, has been announced as the 19th member of the exclusive European Tour Properties network, becoming an official European Tour Destination.
The impressive resort, which is just a 20-minute drive from the Czech capital, Prague, opened in September 2009 and quickly established itself as an ideal venue for high-profile tournaments.
After hosting a Ladies European Tour event in 2011 and 2012, it became the home of the D+D REAL Czech Masters on the European Tour International Schedule, which was won by Jamie Donaldson in 2014 and Thomas Pieters in 2015. Another strong field is expected to contest the €1million prize fund from August 18-21 this year.
As part of European Tour Properties’ network of world-class facilities, Albatross Golf Resort will benefit from focused, year-long sales, marketing and operational support, helping position it at the forefront of the development of the Czech Republic as an established golfing destination.
It joins the 18 existing members in the portfolio, which include PGA Catalunya Resort in Spain, London Golf Club in England and Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort on the French Riviera.
David MacLaren, Director of Property & Venue Development at The European Tour, said: “We are delighted to welcome Albatross Golf Resort into our network. The development of the resort has been an outstanding success story and the evolution of Albatross into an established tournament venue is testimony to the foresight of the owner, Dr Šimáně, and the dedication of the management team, led by Stanislav Lisner.
“The D+D REAL Czech Masters has become a popular tournament for our players and it is great to be able to cement the tournament relationships we have built up with this announcement.”
Dr Jiri Šimáně, owner of Albatross Golf Resort, said: “Albatross is a young course and we have been working really hard on achieving the highest quality.
“We already have a strong connection with The European Tour after hosting the D+D Real Czech Masters for the last two years, and we have also hosted the Ladies European Tour twice.
“Becoming a part of the European Tour Properties network will strengthen even more our relationship. We are very proud to be a part of such a distinguished club and believe that this partnership will help us in presenting Albatross as a prestigious golf resort and also in promoting the Czech Republic as a golf destination.”
Designed by Keith Preston, the 7,358-yard championship course is a stern test for golfers of all levels and finishes with a particularly exacting par four featuring water on both sides of the fairway.
The course has undergone significant recent changes, adding four new lakes, two of which come into play – beside the first green and in front of the 12th green – and it is complemented by a stunning, contemporary clubhouse with a renowned restaurant and state-of-the-art practice facilities.
The greens in particular earned high praise when the cream of the European Tour visited in August 2014 for the inaugural edition – click here for the full story.
Albatross Golf Resort www.albatross.cz/en
European Tour Properties www.europeantourproperties.com