Novak Seals Faldo Series Hat-Trick in Czech Republic

By: Golf Shake | Tue 25 Jun 2013

Vitek Novak claimed the 2013 Faldo Series Czech Championship at the Telc Golf Resort with a tense play-off victory over friend and rival Simon Zach. The 17-year-old Czech defended the title he won in Telc twelve months ago to complete a unique Faldo Series hat-trick, having also won the 2011 Slovakia Championship.

Novak led compatriot Zach by four shots going in to the final round of the 54-hole event and looked set to comfortably retain his title until Zach birdied five of the last six holes to force a play-off. Vitek stayed calm though and drove the green on the first extra hole to set up a winning birdie.

Marie Lunackova (Girls’ Under-21) booked her spot in a second Grand Final, winning the Girls’ title by five shots from Karolina Kohoutova who also qualified through the Girls’ Under-16 division.

Two other age group winners heading to the 17th Faldo Series Grand Final, a World Amateur Golf Ranking hosted by Sir Nick Faldo, are Vaclav Lebl Jr. (Boys Under-16) and Martin Hromadka (Boys’ Under-21).

Supported by The R&A, ISPS Handa and the European Tour, the 2013 Faldo Series Europe schedule features a record 20 tournaments in 14 countries including six in England plus others in Ireland, Abu Dhabi, Chile, the Czech Republic, Scotland, Austria, Wales, Brazil, Italy, The Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia and Greece.

Established in 1996, 40 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 30 countries worldwide with more than 7,000 golfers participating each year. Past winners include Major Champions Rory McIlroy and Yani Tseng.

In September 2014, Faldo will begin taking students at a full-time residential academy for education and golf development in America. The first ever Faldo Series Academy in Casa Grande, Arizona is also home to the Faldo Series USA and marks the next significant step in the programme’s history.

Leading final scores: Boys’ Under-21: 220 – Martin Hromadka (72-77-71); 222 – Adam Studeny (72-74-76); 224 – Daniel Suchan (76-78-70). Boys’ Under-18: 208 – Vitek Novak (67-71-70), Simon Zach (72-70-66). Boys’ Under-16: 214 – Vaclav Lebl Jr. (73-69-72); 217 – Jan Brycka (75-72-70), Matyas Zapletal (72-72-73). Girls’ Under-21: 215 – Marie Lunackova (74-70-71); 235 – Marlies Krenn (AUT) 75-79-81; 237 – Kristyna Abrahamova (82-79-76). Girls’ Under-16: 220 – Karolina Kohoutova (76-72-72); 222 – Johanka Steindlerova (74-74-74); 225 – Michaela Fabiankova (74-77-74).