Black Stork has become one of the most recognisable and dependable venues on the Faldo Junior Tour calendar. Set beneath the dramatic peaks of the High Tatras, the resort’s 27-hole layout offers an ideal blend of strategic challenge and natural beauty. With rolling fairways, changing elevations, and hole designs that reward course management over brute force, Black Stork consistently identifies the most complete players. It’s a venue that understands junior golf and delivers a championship standard year after year, attracting a competitive and well-prepared field all chasing their chance to qualify for the European Grand Final.
This year was no exception. Players from Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, England, and Bulgaria arrived with ambitions high and the scoring reflected both the difficulty of the course and the quality of the field across all categories.
In the Boys U16 division, Slovakia’s Martin Biák delivered a superb final-round 71 to complete a steady and composed three-day total of 219, securing a commanding victory. After opening with 76, Biák sharpened his scoring each day, showcasing exactly the kind of patience and precision Black Stork demands.
Matias Masár claimed second place on 227, highlighted by a strong second-round 74, while Marko Šalitroš completed the podium at 235, recovering well with steady final-round play. Bulgaria’s Boris Venelinov (237) and Poland’s Michal Cygan (242) rounded out the top five in a category marked by tight competition through the midfield.
Hungary’s Bence Bertenyi delivered one of the standout performances of the entire week in the Boys U21 division. Posting rounds of 66, 69, and 69, Bertenyi surged to an extraordinary winning total of 204, leaving the rest of the field well behind. His control from tee to green set a benchmark across all age groups and firmly stamped his ticket to the Grand Final.
Behind him, Slovakia’s Juraj Tomanka claimed second with 223, while Martin Kellner took third with a steady 230 after strong weekend rounds of 75 and 74. The division showcased some of the week’s most impressive ball-striking, but Bertenyi’s consistency ultimately proved untouchable.
In the Girls U16 category, Zoey Sophia Pápay claimed top honours with a total of 234, built on three consistent rounds of 78, 80 and 76. Pápay managed the tougher Saturday conditions well and found her stride during the final round to pull clear of the field.
Adéla Harantová finished second on 240, while Sabina Blanka Fuller (261) and Diana Zelísková (272) completed the top four. Pápay’s composed approach and strong finish proved decisive on a course where patience often outweighs aggression.
The Girls U21 category produced one of the closest finishes of the week. Islamiya Abeldi emerged victorious with a total of 235, thanks to a brilliant final-round 73, her lowest of the week, and good enough to edge past Aleksandra Buczkowska (237), who had led for much of the event.
Slovakia’s Lívia Zelísková finished just behind on 241 after three consistent rounds, while Poland’s Martyna Staniszewska (255) and England’s Amelie Lo Giudice (268) rounded out the top five.
A Strong Tradition Continues
Year after year, Black Stork reinforces its reputation as one of the Faldo Junior Tour’s most reliable proving grounds. The combination of a demanding course, a knowledgeable host venue, and a highly competitive field once again produced champions who earned their Grand Final places the hard way.
