European Golf Design’s Robin Hiseman, architect of Casa Serena Golf, has extolled the virtues of the Czech Republic course ahead of the European Senior Tour’s Casa Serena Open this week.
Hiseman says players travelling to Kutná Hora can expect a thorough test of their game amidst a setting that he describes as “the best conditioned course on the circuit”.
After joiningEuropean Golf Design (EGD)– the golf course design arm of The European Tour and IMG – in 2004, Hiseman’s first assignment was to lead the design of a new 18-hole course 80 kilometres east of the Czech capital, Prague.
Casa Serena was opened in 2007, and throughout the design process the architect was clear in his fundamental aims for the course.
“Casa Serena is a luxury, private retreat, so the golf course had to measure up to that standard,” he said. “Excepting the Seniors tournament, play is generally informal and relaxed, so the course was designed to be fun, generous off the tee, but with a sharp bite if you find the hazards.
“Aesthetic considerations were high on the agenda, so we worked hard to make the course a really attractive setting for your game.”
The course first hosted the European Senior Tour in 2008 and the venue has remained on the Schedule ever since, a fact that Hiseman believes pays testament to the quality and superb maintenance of the grounds.
The architect believes the Senior Members playing this week are going to be competing in one of the finest courses on the Tour, and one not without its own characteristic challenges.
He said: “[The players] can expect to find the best conditioned course on the circuit. Play over the course is very limited, so it is always in immaculate condition.
“The fairways are very undulating for an inland course, so there are lots of uneven stances to encounter. The fairways are often exceptionally wide, so there is no excuse for missing the short grass but if you do, the tall fescue rough can be severe.
“The bunkers are also generally very deep and steep faced and the greens will be very slick; although they are not hugely undulating, there is enough gradient to make them tough to read and you don’t often see long putts being holed at Casa Serenafor this reason.”
Hiseman, who also designed the stunning 27-hole desert golf course at The Royal Golf Club, Bahrain, also identified some of the most beautiful and exhilarating stretches of the 6776 yard par 71 course that will this week host such European Tour legends as former Ryder Cup Captains Sam Torrance, Mark James and Ian Woosnam as well as defending champion and six time Walker Cup player Gary Wolstenholme.
“The view from the 12th tee is generally acknowledged as the most scenic part of the course,” Hiseman reflected. “It is a very strategic par 4 where a brave drive across the inside corner of the dogleg can cut a huge distance off the hole.
“The steeply downhill, long par 4 fourth hole is also always a thrilling challenge, as it falls nearly 100 feet from tee to green.”
Whoever goes on to claim the Casa Serena Open title this week will do so in the knowledge that they are contending upon a contoured expanse of land that Robin Hiseman believes to be one of his masterpieces.
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