Zach Coasts to Faldo Series Victory in Slovakia

Simon Zach claimed victory in the fourth Faldo Series Slovakia Championship after completing a dominant thirteen-stroke success at the Black Stork Golf Resort, a PGA golf course in Velka Lomnica. The win was the perfect remedy for the 17-year-old, who lost out in a play-off at the 2013 Faldo Series Czech Championship.

“I was determined to win this week after narrowly missing out on a Grand Final spot earlier on in the year,” said Zach, who qualifies for the 17th Faldo Series Grand Final at The Greenbrier in West Virginia, USA on October 22-24. “It is great to extend my season in to October when it is normally snowing in the Czech Republic.”

David Strouf (Boys’ Under-21) secured his spot in a third straight Grand Final while Adam Puchmelter (Boys’ Under-16) will make his debut at The Greenbrier on October 22-24.  In the girls’ division Katarina Vlasinova (Girls’ Under-21) and Kristyna Frydlova (Girls’ Under-16) both qualified for the Faldo-hosted World Amateur Golf Ranking event for the first time.

Faldo’s personal coach, Keith Wood was again present in Slovakia to work with competitors and was impressed with the vast improvement in play. The number of participants has increased in each of the last four years.

Supported by The R&A, ISPS Handa and the European Tour, the 2013 Faldo Series Europe schedule features a record 20 tournaments in 15 countries including six in England plus others in Ireland, Abu Dhabi, Chile, the Czech Republic, Scotland, Austria, Wales, Brazil, Italy, The Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia, Greece and the USA.

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 marks another significant step in the programme’s history.

Leading final scores: Boys’ Under-21: 228 – David Strouf (CZE) 74-78-76; 233 – Matus Machnic (SK) 80-75-78; 234 – Andre Draslar (SWI) 73-83-78.  Boys’ Under-18: 208 – Simon Zach (CZE) 67-73-68; 224 – Jan Friesz (SK) 77-70-77; 229 – Jan Hajek (CZE) 77-77-75.  Boys’ Under-16: 225 – Adam Puchmelter (SK) 71-83-71; 229 – Jakub Hrinda (SK) 76-80-73; 233 – Tomas Kuba (SK) 78-80-75.  Girls’ Under-21: 221 – Katerina Vlasinova (CZE) 74-70-77; 226 – Aneta Abrahamova (SK) 74-77-75; 227 – Natalia Heckova (SK) 79-74-74.  Girls’ Under-16: 223 – Kristyna Frydlova (CZE) 72-78-73; 225 – Michaela Fabiankova (CZE) 76-81-68; 230 – Frantiska Lunackova (CZE) 74-80-76.