The Faldo Junior Tour marked a historic milestone as it made its first-ever visit to Bulgaria, hosted at the striking Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort, a venue perched dramatically above the Black Sea, where rolling fairways, cliffside views, and coastal winds combine to create a true championship test. With 40 juniors teeing it up, this event signalled the beginning of a new three-year commitment to nurturing competitive junior golf in Bulgaria, a country where enthusiasm for the sport has been quietly but steadily rising.
From the outset, the course presented the perfect stage: firm, fast-running fairways, slick greens, and a breeze that asked players to think deeply and execute precisely. Against this backdrop, local standout Mariya Mailyan delivered a performance that will be long remembered. The Lighthouse member commanded the field from day one, firing rounds of 72, 73 and 75 for a three-day total of 220 (+7), good enough for a six-shot victory and a statement win in front of a home crowd.
Mailyan’s composure across all 54 holes set the tone. Her ball-striking and course management proved unmatched throughout the week, and she praised the immaculate course setup, calling the conditions “the best she has ever seen at Lighthouse.” Her victory also secures her a coveted place at the Faldo Series European Grand Final, capping off an unforgettable debut event for the nation.
In the Girls 16 & Under division, Vaya Georgieva produced three excellent rounds of 77, 75, and 74, finishing on 226 (+13) to claim the category title as well as overall runner-up honours. Close behind, Leopold Kostylev posted 230 (+17) to take third place overall and win the Boys 21 & Under category with a consistent display highlighted by a strong second round of 75.
The Boys 16 & Under title went to Dimitar Drumev, who opened superbly with a 71 and showed real resilience to finish on 232 (+19) despite tougher conditions across the final two days. Additional strong performances came from Victoria Georgieva (233 / +20) and Andreas Tardea and Georg Tushev (both 236 / +23), rounding out a tightly packed leaderboard.
This inaugural Faldo Junior Tour stop in Bulgaria showcased not only impressive scoring but also the passion and potential of the country’s emerging junior golfers. With Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort providing a world-class setting and Bulgaria now firmly on the Faldo Series map, the future looks bright as the journey continues over the next three years.
