Sport shaped me, golf won my heart

A journey that began in childhood

Every sporting path is unique. Mine began in childhood, when I explored a variety of disciplines – from judo and swimming to tennis and football. Around the age of six, I chose football. I poured my heart into training, and the greatest reward came when our U14 team won the national championship. The trophy eventually faded into memory, but the experience and the lessons stayed with me.

The spirit of a team

For ten years, I lived the rhythm of team sport. What stayed with me most was not only the competition or victories, but the irreplaceable spirit of unity. That bond, that feeling of being part of something larger, has been a priceless life lesson.

When challenges turn into new beginnings

Like every athlete, I faced challenges. Injuries forced me to stop and reflect on what came next. Athletics seemed like a logical step – my running abilities were strong – yet another passion was quietly waiting: golf. I had known the game since early childhood, walking the courses with my parents. At twelve, I earned my first playing licence, and experienced golfers often told me I had a natural feel for the game. Their encouragement led me to a junior golf camp in Italy.

A week that changed everything

I’ll be honest: I had my doubts. I thought golf wasn’t for me – that it was a sport reserved for the privileged. But that one week in Italy changed everything. Golf inspired me, surprised me, convinced me. When I returned home, I started training regularly at the course in Smlednik. It was the beginning of a new chapter.

Looking back, moving forward

Sometimes I ask myself: what if I had stayed in football? What if I had started golf earlier? But I know that the past cannot be changed – only the present can. And the present is where we create our story, step by step, choice by choice.

The lesson sport has taught me

I believe that diversity in sport shapes who we are. Every discipline develops something different – agility, coordination, strength, endurance, resilience. And so I can say with certainty: sport has shaped me, but golf has won my heart.

This is only the beginning. My story is just starting to get interesting…

Mark

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