The D+D REAL Czech Masters got off to a swinging start as players and VIPs gathered at the spectacular Troja Palace for an Official Players’ Welcome that will may well live long in the memory of those who attended.
Jamie Donaldson, Nicolas Colsaerts and Bernd Wiesberger were among the players decked out in their finest attire to herald The European Tour’s newest tournament, while The European Tour's Chief Executive George O'Grady was also present, and they were certainly treated like loyalty at the historic palace.
Horses and carriages were there to take them through the gardens and up to the palace, where they walked up the blue carpet – a red carpet based on a European Tour theme – to a rapturous reception.
There, they mingled with guests and enjoyed the prestigious surrounds before being called into a truly stunning dining room, complete with Roman-style mosaics from wall to wall, to enjoy the most splendid of meals.
Afterwards, the hundreds of revellers moved back down to the front courtyard to be treated to a spectacular cabaret performance which included a Charlie Chaplin sketch and various dance performances which took spectators through the last number of decades using dance, dress and cars.
An evening to remember was wrapped up when Petr Dedek, the owner of title sponsors D+D REAL, struck a shot down the blue carpet to mark the official beginning to the inaugural event.
Fireworks drew proceedings to a close before the players and guests were whisked away back to their hotels and homes, eagerly anticipating the fireworks that will follow out on the golf course at a tournament that was already being hailed as a resounding success before a competitive ball was struck.
