The Other Sand Valley-Poland

[Steve Wilson]

Seeing the thread about Sand Valley and the Lido, etc. brought to mind the Resort/Course in Poland.  Has anyone ever played there?  I was thinking there was some talk a few years about a central Europe gathering.  From the website, and it's a wonderful one, the course looks very interesting.

[Phil Burr]

Looks like a blast!  Lots of ground game and some repetition with perched greens, but sign me up!!  #11 in plan looks similar to TOC 14 (or Carnoustie #6 in reverse)?) and #17 looks like Talking Stick North 11.  And if the Polish translations on the menu are accurate, I love that pasta is "Makarony" and burgers are "Burgery".  I don't need a second opinion to undergo "burgery".


Plenty of talk on this site about undeveloped land for golf.  Although I've never been there, I can imagine the Baltic is surrounded by great terrain.

[Tom_Doak]

That's one of the places I would be going this spring / summer so I can complete Volume 4 of The Confidential Guide, if not for COVID.


It's sandy, but I don't think the property was all that remarkable -- most of the work seems to be "constructed" from a relatively flat site.  I'm sure there are some sites around the Baltic that are cool, but not sure this is one of them.

[Steve Wilson]

There seems to be a liberal use of central hazards in the driving area and by our standards the prices for food are quite reasonable.  I did a likely meal for Pam and me and it came up to about $54.  Not bad for an evening repast. 


I'm presuming the green that appears in the background as you click through the hole diagrams is the par 3 third.  I like the looks of it.  I've been toying with the idea of a central European/Baltic vacation by train.  I'd like to at least see this place.
 

[Pete Lavallee]

I have played Sand Valley while working for the Polish Navy and can attest that it is awesome! It’s about a 1.5 hour drive from the Baltic Tri Cities area of Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot, which have a lot to offer on the tourist front. The best part of a Polish vacation is the cost, since they never switched to the Euro and kept the Sloty, everything is dirt cheap.


The golf course is situated on a very sandy site and is grassed in pure fescue. The greens are fescue and they are kept at a slightly higher cut to accommodate the undulations. I would agree that most holes were more manufactured than found but the work done was very good. GCA’s Tony Ristola played a large role and will perhaps chime in.


As only affluent Poles play golf, the course is designed to attract foreign visitors, mainly Scandinavians and Germans. There are 20 or more condos on site and makes the place ideal for a stay and play holiday. The nearby town of Elblag is charming and half way between the Tri Cities and the Sand Valley is Malbork, which has the worlds largest brick castle which was the home of the Nights of Templar. This area of Poland was was formally part of Prussia, so there is a good deal of German influence.


The highlights of the golf course are:


The par 3 3rd hole is a push up green built on dead flat ground that is reminiscent of something you’re find at Dornock. It is only a wedge shot but very well conceived.


The par 4 6th hole is a long par 4 with an Alps like feature in the driving zone; I recall Tony having something on his web site about constructing this feature.


The par 5 12th has a wonderful bunkering scheme for the tee shot and like many of the greens there, has a back section that falls away from the golfer.


The golf course is full of options and risk reward choices. Although the only significant feature is the hill that host the 9th and 18th greens the course was extremely well designed.


I can still remember every hole hole after just one play, a very good good indicator of the courses qualities.


I would highly recommend a trip there as the Polish people are very welcoming and the Baltic region offers a very good value.