Two of the Ladies European Tour’s most recent winners, Beth Allen and Rebecca Artis, took time out from their preparations for the Tipsport Golf Masters at Golf Park Pilsen to see some of the local sights on Thursday.
They enjoyed a wine tasting and production demonstration at ‘Bohemia Sekt’ which produces the highest quality sparkling wine in the Czech Republic, followed by a trip to Castle Radyne, which offers an unrivalled view of the Pilsen region and dates back to 1356.
After the wine tasting, Australian Artis, who claimed her second LET title at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire less than a fortnight ago, commented: “I was a fan of the cheap wine. I’m not the biggest wine drinker but it was quite smooth, a chardonnay. If anything I’m more of a red wine drinker but I enjoyed the experience.”
Allen, who earned her first LET trophy at the ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters at Buckinghamshire Golf Club a month ago, added: “I preferred the medium wine. The chardonnay was a little bit sweet for me.”
Allen hails from San Diego, an hour north of Temecula, one of the best known wineries in Southern California and she added: “I’m familiar with wine but I didn’t know that the Czech Republic had any wineries so this is a fun experience for me.”
Artis also had the ‘terrifying’ experience of opening a 10 year old bottle, for which she wore a gauze mask and apron to defend against the explosion.
No defence was necessary as they headed to the castle, enjoying views across the local town of Stary Plzenec with its surrounding hills, the distant mountain ranges of Sumava and the Bohemian Forest.
