The exclusive Casa Serena Château & Golf Resort, in the Czech Republic, is one of the latest prestigious venues to be welcomed into World of Leading Golf (WLG), an international organisation representing some of the world’s best golf resorts.
Casa Serena is located near the historical UNESCO town of Kutna Hora, in central Bohemia, 53km from the country’s capital, Prague, and has as its centrepiece a renovated 17th-century hunting lodge, the Chateau Roztěž, which has been enhanced with 21st century comfort and convenience.
Its rebirth was the work of a Taiwanese industrialist, Terry Gou, who revitalised the dilapidated chateau, following its purchase in 2001, with the intention of making it into a private escape for his wife Serena. Sadly, she never lived to see the fruits of his labour, but her name lives on in one of Eastern Europe’s finest golf resorts. The chateau combines ornate 17th-century furniture with the best – and most necessary – modern fittings.
The 6,960-yard, par-71 championship course – designed by European Golf Design’s Robin Hiseman and opened in 2008 – hosted the Casa Serena Open, a European PGA Senior Tour event, between 2008 and 2011, won by Bernhard Langer, Peter Mitchell, Gary Wolstenholme and Barry Lane. It is ranked the number one golf course in the country by the Top100golfcourses.co.uk website.
Casa Serena director Petr Škoda said: “We are, naturally, proud to have qualified and been accepted as a member of WLG. The benchmarking helps us to improve and maintain our high standards. Joining WLG enables us to network with like-minded venues and build strong relationships as we look to establish ourselves as one of the best venues in Europe.”
Casa Serena Château & Golf Resort is a private club with the course available only for exclusive corporate booking and private events, under normal circumstances, ensuring it is kept in immaculate condition. It is the first resort in the Czech Republic to be accepted into WLG as the association continues to expand in all directions.
Claus Feldt, WLG’s general manager, added: “We are delighted to welcome Casa Serena to WLG and it is further testament to the high standards we set as an organisation that it is the first venue in the Czech Republic to meet those criteria.
“I’ve said it before, but it is worth re-iterating, that the quality standards we demand of our members is our badge of honour, if you like. Without that benchmark there is no guarantee of quality – so we provide the guarantee of quality so venues such as Casa Serena demonstrate desire to be a member.
“It does mean that some venues will be disappointed as they will not achieve the necessary levels of quality, but that is what makes the association valuable to its members.”
WLG focuses on marketing and communication platforms for certified premium clubs in order to promote awareness. Print and on-line publications serve as reference guides for the demanding golfer, while ‘members only’ travel offers and other advantages help deepen the relationship between the designated golfers and WLG member clubs.
World of Leading Golf www.world-of-leading-golf.com
Casa Serena Château & Golf Resort www.casaserena.cz