The King’s course re-opened in the summer of 2017 after an extensive renovation program by Swan Golf Designs, returning the course to its position as Central Europe’s premier golf destination.
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The King’s course re-opened in the summer of 2017 after an extensive renovation program by Swan Golf Designs, returning the course to its position as Central Europe’s premier golf destination.
Royal Bled (King's)
Originally established in 1937 on the suggestion of the Yugoslav Royal Family, the King's course was largely abandoned after the Second World War, until it was re-designed in 1972 by Donald Harradine. During the early days, local dignitaries and nobility from all over Europe would play at Royal Bled, including the Duke of Kent.
A breathtaking aspect of the King's course is the scenery. With the snow-topped mountains of the Julian Alps in close proximity, the delightful forests that border the course, and a proliferation of wildlife to observe on the walk round, it really is more than just a golf course.
If you enjoy golf in majestic surroundings, there's no place better than the delightful King's course. Playing Bled requires careful strategy – especially now that water hazards have recently been installed on the back nine – and although it's sited in a mountainous region, the course itself is not particular hilly.
In the early 1990s, Gerard and Gunter Hauser set out a 9-hole course called the Lake's and this newer course, the first half of a projected 18-hole championship layout, is almost as challenging as the King's course because it occupies a similar undulating landscape to its more famous older sibling.
The European Challenge Tour has staged tournaments on the King's course – the BTC Slovenian Open was held here from 1997 to 1999 – and it’s hosted many elite amateur events in recent years, including the European Boys’ Team Championship and European Amateur Ladies' Team Championship.
The King’s course re-opened in the summer of 2017 after an extensive renovation program by Swan Golf Designs and William Swan kindly provided us with the following passage:
“The King’s Course at Royal Bled has now reopened after an extensive renovation under the guidance of Swan Golf Designs. During the two-year project, the course was extended to 6,653 metres with redesigned and rebuilt greens, tees and bunkers, ten new water features, state-of-the-art irrigation system and comprehensive short-game academy and practice range.
Set within the Julian Alps, bordering Slovenia’s Triglav National Park and within sight of the historic castle at Bled, the King’s Course has been restored to its position as Central Europe’s premier golf destination.”