The Jewel of Hukvaldy
106 ǀ POSITIV MAN
While running your business, do you also engage
in other activities? Which ones are interesting
to you?
My greatest passion, right after playing golf, is trading
on the stock exchange. I also actively assist in the charity
events organised by the Association of Independent
Village Women of Hukvaldy, as my wife is one of the
founders. They regularly organise charity events such
as the Christmas Fair for a Good Cause, which currently
has about seventy stalls offering mainly hand-crafted
products. The fair welcomed around four thousand
visitors last year. They also organise a running event
open to children and adults called Hukvaldská 10
in May. Last year, they expanded this event to include
the Nordic Walking category.
Is golf just a sport or is it something more?
Golf is definitely a social event that brings people
together. They can meet and chat while playing.
I believe in it, which is why I organise a seniors´
tournament every Friday, for example. We are proud
of being in first place in the entire Czech Republic.
On Fridays, we have the largest number of seniors
on the course. The oldest member is now 84 years
old. How many other sports can a person at this age
actively participate in? There are not many, and what’s
more, is that these seniors get to spend weekdays with
their grandchildren here. Golf is simply a sport that
connects generations on our course.
What golfing successes have you achieved?
I have been playing golf for 20 years, during which I have
won a few tournaments. The cups I own are on display
and regularly dusted in our clubhouse. I am proud
of the victory in 2021. I played the record of our course
and reduced my handicap to 6,1. In 2012, I was the Stroke
Champion of our field. I am most proud of my son, who
currently represents the junior team of the Třinec golf club.
After years of business, how would you evaluate
what it means to be successful?
Personally, I don’t feel the sense of success. I have
always created something, built something, or strived
for something. I was lucky enough to find fulfilment
in these activities. Today I feel good when we can travel
as a family. I consider myself a successful man in the
family circle.
Where have you had a chance to experience other
golf courses and are there ones that you would like
to return to?
At my age, it is nice to say that I have played golf on all
continents. I fell in love with the golf courses in Scotland,
Turkey, Mauritius, Cuba and also in nearby Austria.
If I could recommend my favourite golf course, it would
be the golf course in Adamstal, Austria. The Golf Club
Hukvaldy nowadays has about 300 members, for
whom I organise golf trips to Turkey, Spain, Austria,
Slovakia etc. So, to answer your question, yes, I like
to return to many places.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I see myself enjoying a glass of good wine,
surrounded by family and friends, still actively playing
on the golf courses, whether that be here or around
the world.
Is there anything else in life that you would like
to experience and where would you like to go
and see?
I don’t like long flights, but I would like to experience
the atmosphere and play on the golf course in Banff-
Lake Louise National Park in Canada, where I once
spent my holiday as a non-golfer.
I wish you to go there and thank you for the interview.
Thanks to golf, we can connect
generaons and we know that the love
of golf can be so-called inherited.