Yes it is true. It will be the second Robert Trent Jones II signature golf course in Eastern Europe (the other is in Russia). Hungary's 4th wealthiest entrepreneur (according to Forbes Hungary in 2014) Gábor Széles had an idea/dream that it is possible to develop a real championship golf course in Hungary.
He found a great area close to the Austrian border within natural reserves and vineyards. This is how the idea of Zala Springs Golf Resort was born.
Gábor Széles asked Robert Trent Jones, Jr.'s team to come up with a golf course plan that will enable them to host in the future well-known international golf championships like the European Tour or the Ryder Cup.
On Thursday I visited the unfinished golf course. The 18 holes and the club house will be ready in August 2015. At this moment 9 holes are available. At the end it will be a par-72, 6650 meters (=7272 yards) golf course. Unlike in other golf clubs in Hungary, here the developers thought about building apartments (the transfer of flats will be in Q1 2016, but the sales have already begun) and condos right next to the golf course.
Zala Spring Golf Resort's developers will have to think about:
- How to put their golf course on the golf tourism map?
- How to motivate UK, Swedish, German, French and Dutch (or even US golfers) golf tourists to try their golf course? (when they are used to play in such golf destinations where there are couple of golf courses in the neighborhood).
- How they can get people quicker to the golf course (although there is an airport not so far away from the golf course)?
- How can they motivate those few Hungarian golfers to play here and become even a member?
