Comments

• 

  David Paul Appell August 24, 2009 at 9:13pm

  Just caught this in today's Miami Herald. If anybody's played the Robert Trent Jones course on Venezuela's Margarita Island -- well, that's the end of that:
  
  Chávez looms large over golf: Hugo Chávez's hard-line stand against the `bourgeois sport' has led to the closing of many golf courses
  
  Venezuelan golf fairways, bunkers and greens have become both the stage of an ideological war headed by President Hugo Chávez and a showcase for the Bolivarian revolution's internal contradictions.
  
  After a 70-year presence in the country, golf is now the target of criticism and attacks by Chávez administration leaders and organizations.
  
  Official measures may result in the closing of more golf courses. In the past five years, the number of courses in Venezuela has gone down to 22 from 28, and three more courses may be in line to be closed as well, according to directors of the Venezuelan Golf Federation (VGF).
  
  Among the closed courses is one the famous designer Robert Trent Jones built on Margarita Island -- the only Venezuelan course certified by the U.S. Professional Golf Association.
  
  The other five courses no longer operating are located near oil fields in the states of Monagas, Zulia and Falcón. The courses remain inactive because the government does not consider their maintenance a priority.
  
  http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/1199514.html?storyli...
• 

  David Paul Appell July 18, 2009 at 3:13am

  Good tips, Vaclav, thanks!
• 

  Václav W Buriánek July 15, 2009 at 10:54pm

  I wouldn´t consider myself as a golf expert especially looking at my handicap card :-) However to golf in Czech Republic - you have a variety of over 100 golf courses from the cheapest and most uncomfortable ones to 200 dollars courses which are lokated mainly close to Prague, especially in castle districts as Karlštejn and Konopiště.
  
  Regarding Algarve - the most convenient about golf down there (fly to Faro and take a taxi to Vilamoura or Albufeira) is the fact you play all year round. The top season is April - June and September to November, however in the low season you find those courses perfectly ready for 50 dollars incl. free rent of buggy and golf sets. Its a mirracle to play there, but be ready there are no easy courses for total beginners there. If you have any questions, dont worry to ask. Greatings to all golfers, Vaclav from Prague
• 

  David Paul Appell July 15, 2009 at 10:00pm

  Hey Vaclav, so what's the lowdown on golf in the Algarve? You must be quite the expert by now!!
• 

  José Balido July 15, 2009 at 6:40pm

  Question for Mr. Buriánek:
  
  Is golf still less expensive in the Czech Republic than elsewhere in Western Europe? If so, by (roughly) what percentage? And what, in your expert opinion, is the top course in Ceská Republika?