The final nine holes are growing in at a new golf course designed by Jeff Howes near Bucharest, Romania, ahead of a full opening in May 2023. 

Bucharest Golf Club is located about 20 miles north of Romania’s capital, near the village of Tâncăbești. 

Construction of holes seven to twelve and sixteen to eighteen was completed last year, and seeding of the remaining nine holes was completed in autumn 2022. 

“Five holes cross the two valleys that run through the site,” said Howes. “We also massaged a par four and five into the landscape on the most prominent of the two valleys.” The irrigation pond is also located within one of the valleys to maximise retention of water runoff. 

“Using the natural landscape has created a roller-coaster routing with clusters of short and long holes,” said Howes. “The start is a longish par four followed by a long par five. The beautiful third is the shortest par three with Lake Tâncăbești in the background and is followed by two driveable par fours. The fifth will be much talked about as the dramatic, 2.5-metre-deep bunkers will be very penal for any errant tee shot. After this short loop comes a group of long holes from six through to ten. The eleventh is a treacherous and short par five. Holes twelve to fourteen are again long holes with fifteen and sixteen short enough to catch your breath before the testing par-three seventeenth and long par-four eighteenth.” 

Howes points to the greens as the main challenge. “The greens will be very slick and designed in such a way that there will be places on each complex where you will not want to miss,” he said. 

The holes currently open have been popular among members and guests. “The enthusiasm from this young golfing country is incredible,” said Howes. “They have waited a long time for an 18-hole golf course in Bucharest and they can’t believe they are getting one which will rank right up there with the best!”