Golf Club Praha was one of the oldest and most historic golf courses in the Czech Republic, founded on March 15, 1926. Its history traced back to the Motol Basin, where the club had its original nine-hole course and thus provided a facility for the small but developing golf community of Prague. Historical prestige was given to its foundation by the first honorary chairman of the club, none other than the son of the first Czechoslovak president, Jan Masaryk. During this early period, in a picturesque part of Prague, the course flourished and marked the club as a key part of Czech sporting culture.
History has not been smooth for Golf Club Praha. Just before the outbreak of World War II, the club was obliged to give up its original course, because the area had to be used right away to construct hospital buildings. The golf activities were moved to Klánovice, where the preparation of an eighteen-hole course and a modern clubhouse had already been undertaken. After the war, the club continued to operate successfully until 1952, when the Communist regime closed down all the golf activities, entirely stopping the operations of Golf Club Praha.
The revival came about in 1969 as part of the Czechoslovak Association of Physical Education, marking the moment that would make a huge change in the course of the club's history. This effort to find a new home for the course resulted in making several sites under consideration, namely Velká Chuchla, Hradištěk pod Medníkem, and Hostivař. The club finally found its permanent home back in Motol, not very far from where the course initially was. Previously, the space used for military training of students was now rebuilt for golf; gradually, the club reconstructed the facilities and the course. In 1976, Golf Club Praha hosted the first tournament on the reconstructed course, marking a new start for the club.
Today, Golf Club Praha has a nine-hole championship course, unique in its individuality and a specific part of the golfing aspect of Prague. The course is rightly famous for its tricky layout, which is rewarding if one knows how to play, suitable for players of any level. Its integration into the green Košíře Nature Park forms a calm and green oasis, nestled only a few tram stops from the heart of the city. Due to this excellent location, the course is easily accessible by car or public transport, offering a truly extraordinary and unusual golf experience next to Prague's vibrant City Center.
The club is not only about the course; it has a long tradition of developing young talent. Its youth training center, captained by the Czech golf legend Jan Juhaniak, has contributed to the cultivation of several of the country's top golfers. The training at the club is very professional, balancing technical skills with a love for the game. Such attention to youth training at this club underlines its interest in the future of golf in the Czech Republic.
Apart from the outdoors, the facilities of Golf Club Praha boast an impressive indoor training center where members can practice all year round. In this indoor facility, there are four FSG simulators available; this virtual tour can be obtained on some of the world's most famous golf courses, such as Torrey Pines, Pebble Beach, and Pinehurst. It also fills in the interior space with a putting room and a fitness center where golfers can work on their swing and general fitness, which is very important in this game. During the winter months, the club provides events such as Motol Indoor Golf Tour and the GCP Winter League, where competitiveness is at its best.
The newly renovated clubhouse, finished in 2023, rounds out the experience at Golf Club Praha. It serves as an avenue for all social functions because it avails the members and guests with a warm environment to retire to after a round of golf. The renovation has rejuvenated the atmosphere of the club by marrying tradition with modern facilities, thus making the older members and newer visitors alike feel at home. The management and staff also strive to provide the best possible service so that every golfer leaves the premises with fond memories of his time at the club.
Golf Club Praha is a symbol of strength, tradition, and love of the beautiful game. Throughout almost a century of its existence, it has been one of the strongest footholds of Czech golf, representing a special combination of tradition, friendship, and sporting excellence. From its origin as a historic institution in 1926 until its modern-day success, the club remains a favorite part of Prague's sporting life.
