MY GOLF JOURNEY

You already know how my golf story began — but this time, I want to share a few more details about the path that brought me to where I am today.

When I first started taking golf seriously, my handicap was 16.7. The game quickly became an obsession. As with most things in my life, I dove in completely — driven by the desire to improve, to understand the game, and to master it. Practice became my daily routine, often lasting eight, nine, sometimes even ten hours a day. The hard work soon began to pay off. After a year and a half, I shot my first round under par; six months later, I was competing for the Slovenian national team.

With the team, I played in several European Team Championships and two World Amateur Championships — experiences that shaped me deeply, both as a player and as a person. Since I started golf relatively late, I missed most of the junior competitions, but as an amateur I still competed in many national opens across Europe and numerous tournaments at home. During the winters, I trained in warmer climates — Spain, Portugal, Turkey — where I could practice in better conditions and stay in form throughout the year.

From Amateur to Professional

In 2018, after the World Amateur Team Championship, I took a big step — I turned professional. That meant I could finally start earning money at tournaments. I began playing across Europe, mostly on the Pro Golf Tour, but for a long time I couldn’t quite bring my practice performance into competition. In 2022, I finally earned full status on the PGT through qualifying school. It was an incredible experience — and a lesson in patience. Looking back, I realize I often wanted too much, too soon. Today I know I should have transitioned more gradually — with more patience and less pressure.

Over the past two years, I’ve adopted a different mindset. I started playing more tournaments outside the tour, with more freedom, without feeling the need to prove anything. It turned out to be the right decision — mentally I felt lighter, and the results soon followed.

First Win and a Dream Round

In 2023, I achieved my first professional victory — at the Czech Tour Final, played at the Kaskada course. The feeling after that win was truly special. A year later, I added another title at a Pro-Am tournament. But the highlight was a 63 (-9) round — a milestone I had been chasing for years. That day reminded me exactly why I fell in love with golf in the first place.

Looking Back — and Ahead

After fourteen years in the game, I now have a much deeper understanding of what it really means to be a professional golfer. Golf isn’t just a sport — it’s a way of life. It teaches patience, persistence, and humility. Above all, it teaches you that sometimes you have to take a step back to move two steps forward.

I still dream of playing on the big stages — but I see them differently now. Less as a destination, and more as a journey.
A journey that keeps teaching me, every single day, who I am.

Mark