Slovenia: Swan Golf Designs (SGD) has been reappointed as golf course architect to lead the renovation at Golf Course Bled.
Nestling among the Julian Alps and set above the glacial lake of the same name, Bled has long been a sporting playground for the rich and famous and was a favourite destination for the Yugoslav Royal Family.
The town is now an important centre of tourism in Central Europe, attracting visitors from across the region.
Golf Course Bled is the oldest golf course in the former Yugoslavia dating back to 1937, with its 27 holes laid out among mature alpine woodland overlooked by the snow-capped peaks of the neighbouring Triglav National Park.
It is currently ranked 49th in Golf World magazine’s Top 100 Golf Courses of Continental Europe.
October will see SGD return to Bled to continue its renovation of the Kings Course following the purchase of the resort by the Solak family, who intend to bring the golf course to a standard worthy of international amateur and professional events.
The project will include the redesign and reconstruction of all greens, tees and bunkers with associated reshaping of green surrounds and fairways where appropriate, and the installation of a state-of-the-art irrigation system to help maintain perfect playing conditions throughout the golfing season.
In addition, Bled will benefit from a renewed focus on the management and development of out-of-play areas to improve the course’s integration into its wider landscape setting supported by the creation of new woodland, grassland and aquatic habitats.
Work on site is programmed to begin in March 2015 with a phased construction timetable ensuring that at least 18 holes remain in play at all times.
SGD is an Associate Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.