120 Years of Tradition, Elegance and European Golf
Few places in the Czech Republic blend sport, history and natural perfection as naturally as the Royal Golf Club Mariánské Lázně. Inaugurated on 21 August 1905 in the presence of King Edward VII, the course remains one of the most significant and beautiful golfing venues in Central Europe. Last year the club celebrated its 120th anniversary.
🖊 Ondřej Vaculík | Jiří Hubený
At the turn of the 19th and the 20th centuries, Mariánské Lázně was a sought-after destination for European aristocracy, diplomats and cultural luminaries. Golf became an organic part of spa life and a symbol of social standing. From its inception, the Royal Golf Club has served as a meeting point across nations, generations and cultures – a place where the sport is not merely a game but a social ritual.
The turbulent 20th century was certainly not kind to the club. Although golf was sidelined for many years during the totalitarian era, the course never disappeared entirely. Thanks to the dedication of its members and their deep bond with this exceptional place, the club succeeded in maintaining continuity and, after 1989, reconnecting with its illustrious past. The symbolic culmination of this return to its roots was the granting of Royal Patronage by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003.
Today, the Royal Golf Club Mariánské Lázně is far more than a living piece of history; it is a vibrant sporting and social centre for the region. Its meticulously maintained 18-hole course, set within the natural scenery of the Slavkovský Forest, offers a unique golfing experience to players of all levels.
However, the Royal Golf Club Mariánské Lázně is so much more than just a sporting venue. It is a place for connection, relaxation and a return to values that are gaining renewed importance today: respect for tradition, the landscape and human relationships. Thanks to the Royal Spoon Restaurant, the English-style clubhouse thrives all year round, hosting not only golfers but also a variety of social events, from weddings and tastings to corporate gatherings and celebrations. Combined with the spa atmosphere of a town inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, it creates a unique destination that not only appeals to golfers but to all lovers of beautiful places and authentic stories.
The 120th-anniversary celebrations were not merely a remembrance of the past but, above all, a glimpse into the future. A future in which the Royal Golf Club Mariánské Lázně continues to confirm that true values – tradition and respect for one’s surroundings – are timeless.
Key historical milestones of the Royal Golf Club Mariánské Lázně
1904–1905 | Founding of the club and the official opening of the golf course on 21 August 1905, in the presence of King Edward VII.
1929 | Course expanded to 18 holes and clubhouse renovated.
1935–1937 | Hosting of the Czechoslovak Open, one of the most significant tournaments in inter-war Europe, featuring world golf legends including Henry Cotton.
1945–1947 | Restoration of the course following the Second World War and the rebirth of club golf in Mariánské Lázně.
1949–1989 | The Communist era – golf was sidelined, yet the club’s continuity was preserved thanks to its dedicated membership base.
1979 | European Junior Team Championship – the first international tournament of this calibre held in the Eastern Bloc.
1991–1996 | A return to the world stage following 1989, including clubhouse renovations and the hosting of European Tour events such as the Chemapol Trophy Czech Open, which was broadcast to hundreds of millions of viewers.
INTERNATIONAL PRESTIGE IN THE 21ST CENTURY
2001 | The 20th European Senior Men’s Team Championship – cementing the RGCML’s position as a host of top-tier European amateur competitions.
2003 | The `Royal’ title is bestowed upon the club by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
2005 | Celebrations of the club’s centenary, attended by Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and Lady Louise Abrahams.
2006 | St. Andrews Trophy and the Jacques Léglise Trophy – matches between the finest amateur golfers from Europe, Great Britain and Ireland.
The tournament’s standout figure: Rory McIlroy, then on the cusp of his world-class career.
2020 | Celebrating the club’s 115th anniversary and establishing the Anniversary Golf Tournament –
a gathering of representatives from ‘Royal’ golf clubs across the globe.
2023 | The European Senior Men’s Team Championship – another in a long line of the most prestigious European amateur competitions held in Mariánské Lázně.
2025 | The 2025 Czech International Amateur Championship, presented by Raiffeisenbank, and the 120th-anniversary celebrations – reinforcing the RGCML’s enduring international standing.
