Anna Němcová, a member of Rotary e-Club Greater Cape Town, became the European Champion at the 49th Rotary Golf Championship. In this interview, she shares what the victory means to her, how she prepared, and why she sees golf as a path to physical and mental balance.
What does winning this year's championship personally mean to you?
Winning this year’s European Rotary Championship means recognition for my long-term dedication to developing my golf game. It’s not just about continuously improving my swing technique, but also about expanding my skills in the short game, refining strategy, and mastering mental resilience under tournament pressure. I focus on all these areas because I see golf as a path of personal development – physically, mentally, and emotionally.
How did you prepare for this tournament – both physically and mentally?
The month before the tournament, I truly committed to intensive preparation – golf-related, physical, and mental. I began with a cleansing and regenerative stay at an Ayurvedic retreat in Sri Lanka, where I regularly go to recharge. After returning, I focused fully on training – combining driving, chipping, putting, and playing several tournaments or practice rounds of 9 holes.
I also worked on my physical fitness – starting each day with yoga and light core exercises. Occasionally, I added circuit training followed by swimming, sauna, massage, or a whirlpool session. I saw the entire preparation as a journey toward body-mind balance – and that clearly showed on the course.
How is it that, as a Czech, you represented South Africa?
I’m a member of the E-Club Greater Cape Town, District 9350 – a modern type of Rotary club that brings together members from around the world and operates mainly online. We meet every two weeks via the internet and carry out inspiring international projects together.
As part of promoting golf, I had the opportunity to be in Cape Town, where I taught golf at four local schools. It was an incredibly enriching experience – I met children full of enthusiasm and talent. Thanks to the involvement of fellow Rotarian golfers in South Africa, we managed to provide these children with free access to training grounds and golf courses, and we also equipped them with the necessary golf gear. These activities naturally connected me with the local Rotary and golfing community, which I had the honor to represent at the European championship.
When and where did you first encounter Rotary, and what appealed to you about this community?
My first encounter with Rotary felt like discovering a new world – one full of people who believe that even small acts can have a big impact. Through a friend, I discovered a community where service blends with professional growth, and where values like integrity, service, and mutual respect truly matter.
I was drawn to the way Rotary brings together people from diverse professions and life stories, all striving to make the world a better place. I immediately felt the trust, openness, and friendship among the members – something truly valuable in today’s world.
What other Rotary activities are you involved in? Are you part of any projects or committees?
I focus on two main areas within Rotary: promoting and teaching golf in schools in South Africa (as I mentioned earlier). A very special connection also links me with Tibet and Rinpoche E Rang, who lives at an altitude of 5,000 meters. He built a school for 200 orphans and provides them with full care and education, constantly seeking financial support to keep it running. I had the chance to visit this remarkable place, and I continue to support the school financially and by organizing fundraisers. These powerful experiences inspired me to write a book called Fairy Tales of My Life.
How many times have you competed in the European Rotary Golf Championship?
This was my second European Championship – I finished second in my first one.
How did you perceive the atmosphere of this year’s tournament in the Brno area?
I’m delighted that this year’s European Rotary Championship took place in our beautiful Czech Republic, in cooperation with Slovakia. I believe all participants took home not only golfing memories but also a sense of the warm atmosphere and careful organization.
The entire tournament was conducted in a very heartfelt spirit, which is typical for Rotary. A small mix-up occurred during the prizegiving ceremony for the overall European Champion – the trophy was mistakenly awarded to another player – but the situation was quickly corrected in line with the rules. The title ultimately went to the golfer with the lowest score over the two competition days. This only confirmed the integrity and fairness of the event – everything was handled calmly and respectfully.
Was there a powerful moment during the week that you’ll never forget?
Yes – I’ll never forget the moment when, after the first round, I was in third place and walked up to the first tee on day two. I told myself: “Here and now. Only the present moment. One shot at a time.”
My intention was to play all 18 holes calmly and with full focus. Whenever my mind began drifting into the past or future, I returned to my breath and repeated mantras. Coming back to the present, to stillness, to the here and now – that turned out to be the key. And it truly worked. I won – all while staying entirely “here and now.”
Heartfelt thanks for the answers to Anna Němcová, Rotary e-Club Greater Cape Town
PDG Katarína Čechová
Photo: Svatopluk Jedlička
