An exceptional week filled with athletic excitement, international encounters, and unforgettable experiences. This was the 49th European Rotary Open Golf Championship, organised for the first time on the territory of our district and hosted by the Rotary Club Bratislava International.

From June 30 to July 4, the surroundings of Brno played host to the 49th European Rotary Open Golf Championship — a prestigious international event that brought together 112 players from 18 countries around the world. In addition to participants from across Europe, we were delighted to welcome golfers from Australia, South Africa, and Morocco. Many were also accompanied by their partners.

The tournament took place on two beautiful courses — Kaskáda Golf Resort and Austerlitz Golf Resort — and was contested across seven categories. Beyond the sporting spirit, we focused on building friendships, connecting Rotarians across borders, and upholding Rotary values with dignity and pride.

A rich social program enhanced the atmosphere: a tour of the historic Austerlitz battlefield, a boat cruise on the Brno reservoir, a visit to Lednice Castle, wine tasting at Chateau Valtice, and a traditional Moravian evening with live cimbalom music under the open sky near Hotel Maximus.

We were thrilled and honoured by the strong support we received from the South Moravian Region, the City of Brno, the towns of Kuřim and Slavkov u Brna, and the Slovak Golf Association. Our sincere thanks go to Mayor of Brno Markéta Vaňková, Mayor of Kuřim Drago Sukalovský, Mayor of Slavkov u Brna Michal Boudný, and President of the Slovak Golf Association Michal Krnáč. The event was also warmly welcomed via video message by former world no. 1 and Ryder Cup European Team Captain, Luke Donald.

The highlight of the week was the gala evening in the historic hall of Austerlitz Castle, where the winners of each category were announced. The title of European Champion went to Anna Němcová, a Czech representing South Africa. The Rotary 70+ category was dominated by Trevor Johnson of England, a long-time Rotary golf ambassador. The winners of particular divisions are:

ROTARY DIVISION 1: WHI 0–14.4 – Stroke results

1. Anna NEMCOVA (South Africa) – 90 / 81 – 171
2. Urmas ISOK (Estonia) – 91 / 86 – 177
3. Jan TRSEK (Czech Republic) – 88 / 92 – 180

ROTARY DIVISION 1: WHI 0–14.4 – Stableford net

1. Jan TRSEK (Czech Republic) – 33 / 35 – 68
2. Blaise MATTHEY (Switzerland) – 36 / 30 – 66
3. Anna NEMCOVÁ (South Africa) – 36 / 30 – 66

ROTARY DIVISION 2: WHI 14.5–21.4 – Stableford net

1. Thomas BOEMERS (Germany) – 32 / 45 – 77
2. Thomas GREDLER (Austria) – 32 / 44 – 76
3. Stephan SOMMER (Switzerland) – 38 / 38 – 76

ROTARY DIVISION 3: WHI 21.5–36 – Stableford net

1. Marco-Ken MOLLER (Germany) – 40 / 48 – 88
2. Rocco OLGIATI (Switzerland) – 40 / 48 – 88
3. Lars SCHAEKEL (Germany) – 42 / 37 – 79

ROTARY DIVISION 4: Senior Rotarians (age >70) WHI 0–36 – Stableford net

1. Trevor JOHNSON (England) – 43 / 38 – 81
2. Bernhard PLATZER (Austria) – 43 / 31 – 74
3. Hans-Jurgen PICKEL (Germany) – 39 / 34 – 73

PARTNERS & GUESTS DIVISION 1: WHI 0–18.4 – Stableford net

1. Robert SZABO (Slovakia) – 34 / 36 – 70
2. Brigitte MATTI (Switzerland) – 39 / 24 – 63
3. Claude-France Anne MATTHEY-ROSNOBLET (Switzerland) – 26 / 24 – 60

PARTNERS & GUESTS DIVISION 2: WHI 18.5–36 – Stableford net

1. Anna Maria MILANI (Portugal) – 42 / 41 – 83
2. Martin ALTERMATT (Switzerland) – 35 / 45 – 80
3. Bruno BORTOLATO (Germany) – 39 / 39 – 78

PARTNERS & GUESTS DIVISION 3: Senior Partners & Guests (age >70) WHI 0–36 – Stableford net

1. Gerhard OTTO (Austria) – 26 / 43 – 69
2. Patrick BODSON (Belgium) – 38 / 31 – 69
3. Alfredas RIMIDIS (Lithuania) – 32 / 15 – 67

Let me take this opportunity to extend heartfelt thanks to the members of our club — 2024/25 President Aďka Szabóová, 2025/26 President Juraj Židek, Rado Simon, and Greg Fabian. Alongside exchange students from our Satellite Rotary Club Trnava — Darinka Skybová, Julia Keirat, and Alenka Šurinová — they spent the entire week at the championship venue, handling all logistics: welcoming guests, coordinating transport and the accompanying program, managing operations, liaising with partners, suppliers, and participants, and hosting in the House of Friendship.

Special thanks also go to the members of our club’s Inner Wheel: Jarka Žideková, Blaženka Simonová, Robert and Adam Szabó, Tamarka Drgoňová, and my husband Peter. Together with our DGN Theo Petřík, who served as Tournament Director, they carried out an incredible amount of dedicated work on-site.

Gratitude also goes to other members of our club and satellite club who helped with preparations — Radúz Dula, Pavol Maglocký, and Renatka Nováková — and to members of Rotary Club Brno City, Jiří Kaláb and Oto Koudelka, for their support.

Thank you, dear friends, for all your help, your smiles, and the calm, easygoing spirit with which you tackled even the more difficult moments. This championship week was a beautiful testament to what a dedicated team with big hearts and selfless commitment can achieve.

PDG Katarína Čechová
Chair of the Organizing Committee EOC Brno 2025
Rotary Club Bratislava International