20 August 2026
The Faldo Junior Tour returned to Slovakia for its 18th consecutive year this week, and Black Stork Golf Resort added another significant chapter to that history. For the first time across the continent, the Faldo Series also launched its inaugural Faldo Futures competition in Europe, bringing competitive junior golf to players aged 7-12 alongside the traditional Junior Tour format.
A combined field of 79 players competed from 18-20 August, with four junior champions emerging from the Junior Tour divisions. Three of the four divisional winners were Slovak, earning invitations to the 30th Faldo Series European Grand Final in Al Ain, UAE, in November.
The Girls 16 & Under title went to Zoey Sophia Pápay of Alpinka Golf Club Košice, who put together three near-identical rounds of 71-72-71 for a total of 214. Her performance earned her the overall Championship, and she finished eight shots clear of runner-up Adéla Harantová.
Marko Šalitroš of Alpinka Golf Club Košice claimed the Boys 21 & Under title with a composed three-round performance. His scores of 75-74-74 totalled 223, giving him a two-shot victory over Patrik Dolinský of Golf Club Skalica. Šalitroš now heads to Al Ain as Slovakia’s representative in the senior boys division.
Karolína Friedrichová of Golf Trnava completed Slovakia’s trio of winners, taking the Girls 21 & Under division at 219 after rounds of 75-70-74. The Boys 16 & Under title went to Czech competitor Marek Ruszó Jr. of Golf Club Třinec, who posted 231, which included two birdies and an eagle in the final round to win by one.
The inaugural Faldo Futures competition across Europe marked a significant milestone, bringing competitive golf to players aged 7-12 for the first time on the continent. Six divisions competed over two rounds on shortened courses, and Eliáš Tvrdoň stood out with rounds of 41-35 for a total of 76 to claim the Boys 11-12 title—the lowest Futures score of the week. Joining Tvrdoň, the other five divisional winners earned invitations to the Faldo Futures Final at The Belfry during the Husqvarna British Masters week.
Black Stork Golf Resort in Veľká Lomnica has proven itself a reliable host venue over nearly two decades, and Sylvia Hruska, General Manager and long-time supporter of the Faldo Series, has been central to that consistency. With 18 years of hosting the Faldo Junior Tour and now adding the inaugural European Futures competition to the programme, she continues to deliver genuine competitive opportunities for Slovak juniors.
The 18th year of the Faldo Junior Tour in Slovakia, combined with the inaugural European Faldo Futures launch, signals real momentum for junior golf development across the continent. With proven venues, committed leadership, and genuine international pathways now available from age seven onwards, young players in Eastern Europe have opportunities their predecessors never had.
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