Konopiste (d’Este)

Located a mere 45-minute drive southeast of Prague city centre, Golf & Spa Resort Konopiště offers golfers two 18-hole courses – the Radecký and d'Este – along with a 9-hole beginner’s course which are serviced by a renovated chateau clubhouse and a 135-double room hotel within the grounds of the old Tvoršovice estate.

The main courses were both designed by John Burns from the European PGA, together with head greenkeeper Frantisek Stepan. The Radecký appeared first in 2002, followed three years later by the d'Este which is named after Archduke Ferdinand d,Este, successor to the Austrian throne, whose assassination precipitated World War I in 1914.

The d’Este is arranged as two returning nines, with an overall length of just over 6,000 metres. Water hazards come into play at a couple of holes: on the outward half at the par five 7th and par four 9th (featuring an island green) then on the inward half at the par five 12th and par four 18th, where ponds protect the front right and left of the home green.