Capitals Golf Club

Overview: Capitals Golf Club presents an 18-hole, par-71 course within the Pipiriškės Geomorphological Reserve, between Lithuania’s historic capitals of Kernavė, Trakai, Kaunas and Vilnius. Peter Chamberlain’s design follows hilly ground shaped by Ice Age glaciers, so the routing makes use of existing rises, hollows and natural woodland rather than relying on heavy earthmoving. Eight lakes and nearly 70 bunkers add definition, while the changing elevation gives the course a varied rhythm from tee to green. The combination of open fairways, native landscape and water hazards creates a scenic but thoughtful round in the Lithuanian countryside.

History: Capitals was developed in stages. The initial nine holes entered use in autumn 2005, followed by the clubhouse and remaining nine holes in July 2006. The complete 18-hole course and clubhouse were inaugurated on 7 July 2006, a date the club treats as its birthday. It became Lithuania’s first professional 18-hole golf course and helped establish the country as a destination for organised golf. In 2008 the course received international recognition as Golf Inc.’s best new project in the international category, and the first professional SAS Masters tournament was held here that same year.

Did You Know? The Capitals name describes the geography rather than a political institution. The club says the four historic Lithuanian capitals sit at almost equal distances around the site. The reserve also contains traces of a settlement dating to the 3rd century between Zapurvis and Pasamanė lakes. That combination of glacial landform, protected nature and long human history gives the golf course a setting that is unusually rich for a modern layout.