For years Croatia had surprisingly few golf courses--three, to be exact. There was the Novi Dvori course in Zapresic near Zagreb, the Golf and Country Club Zagreb (nine hole, PAR 30) near the Zagreb Fair grounds and Croatia's oldest golf course in the Brijuni Islands (18 holes).

Concern about water consumption on Croatia's relatively dry coast hampered construction but the prospect of luring big-spending golfers to the country trumped environmental concerns. Now there's a brand-new golf course in Istria, an 18-hole green designed by golf legend, Jack Nicklaus.

Located in Savudrija on the Istrian coast, the Kepinski Hotel Adriatic has a driving range, putting range, 18-hole championship course, a golf shop and golf club in addition to a luxury hotel, spa and wellness center. Responding to environmental concerns, the golf course is mostly watered by harvested rain water.

Dalmatia will not be left out of Croatia's future as a golf destination. Golf courses are currently being planned for Dubrovnik, Split and Zadar but the proposed golf resort in Dubrovnik on top of Mount Srd will be the most ambitious. Although initially controversial, the golf resort is now on track although no opening date has been set.

So, stay tuned!

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