Golf In West Pomerania

on Sep 17, 2013

Where? Some of my golfing pals asked when I mentioned I was off on a four day golf trip to Poland.

I think they thought I had taken leave of my senses! So, when I returned I couldn’t wait to fill them in on my wonderful golf experience in West Pomerania.

As we flew into Szcecin airport the sky was grey, I could see it had been raining I began thinking perhaps I should have gone to Spain or Portugal!

The first part of our trip was to the Gary Player designed Modry Las Golf Course which is situated outside Choszczno in the West Pomerania region of Poland. Just over an hours drive from the airport we arrived at our destination were we warmly greeted by golf course manager, all the way from bonny Scotland, Polish speaking Stewart Snedden. Stewart filled us in on a little bit of the history of Modry Las and then showed to the lovely modern chalet type lodges which were just a stroll from the club house and our home for the next couple of days.

The next morning blue skies, sunshine, great stuff, I had instantly decided my wardrobe for the day [shorts] I was now really looking forward to getting on the course and playing some golf.

Modry Las looked beautiful in the morning sunshine and as it was mid week there were very few golfers around. Some of the group headed to the golf academy to loosen up while others like my-self preferred to just get going!

The par 72 course weaves its way through gently undulating countryside. It nestles between an oak, pine and birch forest and two spring-fed lakes. The fairways meander along the lake’s edge and stretch around ponds, streams and fields of wildflowers.

As you would expect in remote countryside there is lots of wild life, from wild boar to the odd snake although I didn’t see any myself I can’t say I was disappointed! The course was quiet it was nice not being rushed so there was time to stop and enjoy the scenery and chat about our shots, the hazards and the amazing weather!

The Gary Player course is laid out in two returning loops of 9 holes, the opening 3 are doglegs to the right, along the lake. Water comes only into play again on 14^th 15^th and 18^th holes.

The main clubhouse is currently under construction so there isn’t a restaurant or bar yet. The club does have an arrangement with local restaurant Promenada who provide meals for golfing groups in the temporary clubhouse.

As we played the 18th aromas of barbequed food drifted down the fairway making it hard to focus on playing the superb finishing hole.

After a fabulous round of 18 challenging golf holes, what better way to end the day than to enjoy great food with new friends, old friends and watch the sun set over Modry Las.

The next morning we travelled to the coast to Miedzyzdroje (Misdroy) and on to one of Poland’s oldest golf courses, Amber Baltic Golf Club. The Club was founded in 1993 and has hosted various international tournaments such as, International European Amateur Ladies Championship 2000, European Boys Team Championship 2001, EGA Challenge Trophy Boys 2005, PGA Challenge.

The 18-hole par 72 course is suitable for both beginners and the more experienced golfer. Each hole has been designed with strategically positioned hazards to protect against easy scoring. The course was a little marshy in places but was very enjoyable.

From the clubhouse there are wonderful views of the course and surrounding countryside. The facilities are excellent, with in the clubhouse there is a bar, a restaurant, pro shop and first class changing rooms. The food and service in the clubhouse restaurant was superb.

The course is just 15 minutes by car to the lively seaside resort of Międzyzdroje. There are plenty of lively bars and restaurants, several top class hotels and white sandy beaches of the Baltic Sea.

We stayed at Hotel Aurora, a four star hotel in Miedzyzdroje, the hotel has spa and wellness facilities and the location is perfect for a summer holiday. Some of the shops beside the hotel sell beautiful amber jewellery. It is worth buying in these smaller shops as the prices are much better than in the main shopping centres.

The final leg of our Polish golf venture led us back towards Szczecin and to Binowo Park Golf Club. Binowo Park lies in an area of Szczecin Landscape Park. The final few kilometres of our journey took us through the amazing “Puszcza Bukowa” beech forest .

There was a real buzz around the clubhouse when we arrived, so it was not surprising at all to learn that Binowo is one of the most popular of Poland’s golf courses.

The hilly landscape, with it’s natural and artificial ponds make it particularly interesting and might I say challenging, in other words bring lots of balls!

The opening nine holes take you up and around the hills of The Park, the views of the surrounding countryside are incredibly beautiful. The back nine was a touch testing, there is lots of water in play and some very scary holes but thoroughly enjoyable.

Very close to the golf course is the harbour city, Szczecin, where the River Odra flows out the Baltic Sea. We spent the last day of our golf trip here in this fabulous and historic city. Our group were booked into the very nice Radisson BLU four star hotel, which is situated in the heart of Szczecin and was the perfect location to see the city.

There is lots’ to do and places to see, plenty of night clubs, pubs and shops and there are many restaurants offering national and international cuisine.

Szczecin was badly hit during the 1940s, now there is a real feeling that this city has moved on, there is lots of development around the new Old Town and the magnificent Oder River. Most of old buildings have been restored to their former slendour, the vibrant colours and designs are stunning. We spent a few fascinating hours on a walking tour with guide Magdalena Wilk, you’ll hear tales of Bogislaw X at Szczecin Castle, where the mythical griffin keeps guard over the city, Wyszak the Warrior, Hitler’s fuel factory and the gigantic civilian bomb shelter. Its well worth visiting the Cathedral tower, there are lifts that take you right to the top. The panoramic views from the tower across the city are breathtaking and will surely leave a lasting impression of this amazing city.

Szczecin (Photo: www.destinationgolf.travel)

City Photo: Destination Golf.

I can’t think of a better way to end the trip after a week of golf and a few hours on a walking tour than an afternoon at The Baltica Wellness & Spa, the largest Spa in western Pomerania. The Baltica offers many holistic treatments and massages as well as a wide range of wellness facilities. The most popular massages, help relieve stress and muscle tension. People come from far and near just to experience this unique wellness centre.