The European Challenge Tour visits the Czech Republic for the first time this season as the Prague Golf Challenge takes place at Prague City Golf. Here’s five things you need to know…
English brilliance
The Prague Golf Challenge is now into its third year and the English contingent teeing it up at Prague City Golf will be looking to continue the run of English winners. Garrick Porteous won the maiden edition of the event in 2017 when he triumphed with a five-shot margin on 24 under par, with Julien Guerrier, Christopher Mivis and Bradley Neil tied second on 19 under. Ben Stow made it two Englishmen in two years when he claimed the title last year as a stunning final round 65 meant he overturned a three-stroke overnight deficit to win by one shot from Joel Girrbach. Stow finished on 18 under par, one shot clear of the Swiss in second place.
Longest drive
There will be an added incentive to hit it long and straight on the seventh hole during the final round, as the player with the longest drive of the day will win a year’s supply of Pilsner Urquell. The 659-yard par five will be the setting for the competition and to be in with a chance of winning, players’ drives must come to rest on the fairway. Last year, Dutchman Lars van Meijel earned the year’s supply, which is 365 cans or bottles, as he thumped his drive 324 yards. Although he admitted to enjoying the occasional beer, he required help from his friends to finish his prize.
Czech swing
The Prague Golf Challenge marks the start of the back-to-back Czech swing. Although there is a week’s break in the schedule between the two events, the D+D REAL Czech Challenge will take place after the Prague Golf City tournament, at Kaskada Golf Resort, Brno. No player has managed to complete the Prague Golf Challenge and D+D REAL Czech Challenge double.
Hole in one prize
In addition to the longest drive competition, there will also be the chance for players to win a car at the Prague Golf Challenge. A Skoda Kodiaq will be on offer for the first player to ace the 176-yard par three 18th hole during rounds three and four. At the 2018 Prague Golf Challenge, there were 48 birdies and no holes in one during the tournament; will anyone achieve the feat and take home the car this week?
Scale The Himalayas
The Himalayas is the largest putting green in the Czech Republic inspired by the famous putting course at the Home of Golf, St Andrews. The name refers to the highest mountain range in the world and the holes on the course are the names of mountain peaks: Mount Everest, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Nanga Parbat, Annapurna, Shisha Pangma, Gyachung Kang, Annapurna II, Himalchuli Nuptse, Nanda Devi, Chomo Lonzo and Namcha Barwa. On Wednesday afternoon, Challenge Tour players will compete with local youngsters on The Himalayas in a putting competition.
