Hello!

Considering that most metropolitan areas of the world include golf courses. I like golf, although I have played more golf in America then here... It only makes me happy to see that there are people wishing to invest in the "gentleman's sport" here in Cluj. So, I thought I would throw in my 2 cents as to what I have found out about this subject and what it has to do with our metro area here in Cluj!

So far I have heard of 3 ambitious projects... I will list them in concordance to the impression the left on me from least to greatest:

#3 Claudiopolis.golf, Campanesti:
Although I have not been... I have done a little research about this project.... It is located in the small town of Campanesti east of the city... in the middle of nowhere. It would make for a great links style course with the soft rolling hills of that area. But sadly, it seems the only thing golf related you can do there is pull out the trusty 9 iron or the "Big Bertha" driver and hit the driving range. On the flip side, the driving range is spacious, and trimmed nicely.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Claudiopolisgolf/215304768510826

#2 Transilvania Golf Club, Cluj-Napoca/Sanpaul: Transilvania Golf Club has enormous potential, but sadly has partaken of little support financially. With a sole major investor, Octavian Damian, the project has been moving along slowly but with a little help and some publicity I think Transilvania Golf Club could possibly bring Cluj into the golf spotlight of Romania. At the time being of teh club's members four have received trofees in the Romanian golf world; most being racked up at Paul Tomita Golf Club in Pianu de Jos, Alba. The clubs facilities include a modest driving range in Cluj, neighboring Baumaxx 1 on Calea Turzii and a course in development stage in San Paul, about 25 km west of Cluj. Although I was slightly depressed upon visiting the course in San Paul, I believe it is an awesome start! So far there are 3 crude holes (in development), a driving range, and a newly planted chipping and putting green... newly planted, putting green means... give it a few years of love and care! But, those of you from Transilvania Golf Club, keep up the good work, and maybe post some master plans of the developement project so people can catch the vision, I know I would!
http://www.transilvaniagolf.ro/

#1 Sun Garden Resorts, Sun Garden Golf Club, Baciu:
Sun Garden Resorts, I have only been there once... but it is one of those places you leave dreaming of your next return. Ok, before you say I have a biased opinion about who has number one on my list... I have good reason. Why, you may ask? Well, first of all, it is a resort where everything is done "nota 10".
Second, It has a hotel entrepreneur backing it which can only mean 1 thing... He will do anything to have it his way. Resorts are made to milk financially the customers by making them feel like their money is worth something more then just relaxation and make them want to come back on top of it all, that is why the do so well! So, if a hotel entrepreneur rolls into town and says he is going to build a golf course, ok!
Thirdly, they signed Robert McNeil an international golf architect to develop the course. That is one thing I know the prior 2 clubs lack. I guess I can put it this way: Polus Center>Sora Shopping Center. For obvious reasons...
Fourthly, Sun Garden's 9-hole course is being cut straight out of the surrounding woods, a feature only the greatest courses offer...
http://goo.gl/OhQEY

Thus, I conclude my post about Golf,
and the Cluj Metro Area... If anyone cares to reply feel free! Also, if anyone knows more about the subject, post on!

Untill then!

"Brandonescu"
Americanu', "român"

me roman ... me no spik inglish :cheers:

Voi incerca sa-mi traduc postarile atuncia.

:cheers:

Voi incerca sa-mi traduc postarile atuncia.
Welcome on SSC! No need to, you can write in English.

I don't know what's gotten into him. As a long time member, he knows that when this forum was established, we voted to use English as primary language.

In fact, that remark was completely unnecessary, especially coming from a guy that LIVES in the UK, so I consider it trolling. :ohno:

... just trying to blend in :banana:

I love to play golf as well. I have played on premier golf courses in South Africa where international championships are held and the likes of Tiger Woods and Ernie Els play, so I know one or two things about how a golf course should be.

The only golf course I went to in Romania was Lac de Verde in Bucharest. It was ok but I would hesitate to actually say it was a golf course like in South Africa or America. What irritated me then was the poorly planted fairway grass that chipped very easily. Not even sand could fix it and this created unnecessary hooks on my swings.

I would love to see a proper golf course pop up in Romania, and was actually considering investing in one at one point, but unfortunately I only know of a few people that live Romania and actually like golf. Unlike in South Africa and America, the sport is unpopular there or seen as a snobbish sport.

I know the feeling... Unfortunately, even most public golf courses in the US have better quality grass then here... Personally, I think grass doesn't do very well in the entire country because there are not a lot of well kept lawns. It is not a part or the culture. In the US and else where lawns are a part of the culture and there is so much green grass, it can germinate much better. But try planting nice green grass in an area where all that has grown for thousands of years has been weeds. You may till little strips and pant the best grass... but it just seems to hate the soil. I am probably just crazy... but that is my opinion. I am not saying it can't be done, it just needs a lot more work.

I have only ever played at Paul Tomita Golf Cluj, in Pianu de Jos in Judetul Alba... But it is a very natural, hard links type course... the grass is sort crude in some places.. and the rough is, well, rough! It is fun though! :)

NEWS:

Claudiopolis.golf

Terenul de golf CLAUDIOPOLIS si-a deschis portile!

In acest sezon toti golferii sunt asteptati sa profite de: driving-range, teren de golf cu 9 gauri, instructor de golf, inchirieri crose si mingi, clubhouse cu bar si terasa la cele mai mici preturi din Romania.
Sezonul 2012 aduce si diferite promotii pentru incepatori, corporatii, grupuri, familii si turisti.

Suntem deschisi de luni pana duminica de la ora 09:00 pana la apusul soarelui.

Pentru mai multe detalii: 0746.056.800 sau claudiopolis.golf@gmail.com

Va asteptam sa descoperiti o noua aventura!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=417114808329820&set=a.215306121844024.50681.215304768510826&type=1&theater

^^
If I can add to your current projects from Cluj area+Pianu(AB) + Lac de Verde(PH)-mentioned by Eduard..

Unfortunatelly in Romania we are still far behind when it comes to this sport.
I've seen myself in US and UK how popular this sport can be..Thousands of golf courses (in US, FL alone has over 1172! while UK over 1400)

So..in Romania(the thread will be kinda limited if we keep it solely to Cluj surroundings) we can also mention:

Tite Golf Resort (TM)
http://www.titegolfresort.com/html/plan_of_the_golfcourse.html
Selas Golf&Polo(PH)
http://golf.selas.ro/index.php/golf-romania-selas-golf-polo-club
Diplomatic Club(Bucharest)
http://www.clubuldiplomatic.ro/venues.html
Golf & Country Club Bucharest
http://www.golf-bucharest.ro/proiect/
http://www.golf-romania.ro/magazine/stradale

and that's about it..
I know there are other projects going on but developers will keep a low profile until they secure the land

In case you haven't seen this

Yeoju Grand CC, Yeoju, Kyunggi-do, South Korea 2010
The Golf Club at Harbor Shores, Benton Harbor, Michigan 2010
Baha Mar, Nassau, Bahamas TBD
Bear Creek at Burrus Ridge, Nashville, TN TBD
Bear's Best Cheongna, Cheongna Golf District, Incheon, South Korea
Beihai II, Beihai, Silver Beach, China TBD
Brasov, Bucharest, Romania TBD
Bucharest Golf Club, Bucharest, Romania TBD
Buenaventura Golf Club, Farallón, Coclé, Panama TBD
Campeche Playa Golf Marina & Spa Resort, Campeche, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico TBD
Cana Bay Golf Club, Punta Cana, La Altagracia, Dominican Republic TBD[5]

from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_golf_courses_designed_by_Jack_Nicklaus
http://www.nicklaus.com/design/

However if you are really into this you should probably drive down to Bulgaria
I would recommend..
http://www.thraciancliffs.com/
(been there last year-didn't play(just to watch)-it's a fantastic golf course)
http://www.blacksearama.com/
both designed by Gary Player
(actually it will be one more at Cape Kaliakra -
http://garyplayer.com/golf-course-design/project-listing/)
They'll also have
http://www.golfclubibar.com/en/index.html#
designed by Jack Nicklaus

Personally I got interested by watching the Majors(especially The Masters) and after hanging out with knowledgeble friends(an US golf pro+another South African guy)..I even got the clubs&bag and occasionally I practice just the drive&approch, no turf for putting here:) in the RO-countryside(AG):cheers:

Hope at some point to be able to open a 15 bay driving range..