Published in PRAVDA
He started playing golf when he was 14. After he graduated from high school he went to United States to work on his game. He is convinced that one day he will be competing with the best in the world. “I am extremely motivated and I hate to lose,” first professional golfer in Slovakia Peter Svajlen said for Pravda.
How did you start playing golf?
During my childhood I played multiple sports on competitive level. First, I started playing ice hockey, later basketball and volleyball. None for those stuck with me more than few years. Golf always amazed me when I saw it on TV. My first contact with golf was in England during one summer. I stayed there with one family that took me to the driving range with their son. That’s when I got seriously interested in the game.
Where did your first steps go after you came back to Slovakia?
My dad and I went to at that time only golf course in the country to take some lessons so we could play on the golf course. My mom and sister did the same little later but they did not like it as much.
Is it correct to assume that the practice conditions in Slovakia were not very good?
Yes, I basically grew up on a golf course in Austria that is right behind the border. It was close by, cheap and lot nicer compared to the course in Slovakia. I also played many junior events in Austria. Those prepared me well for adult tournaments in Slovakia. Later I decided to go to United States though.
To play golf?
I was exchange student in Tennessee first during my senior year. I was exposed to the idea of playing college golf. The school would not only pay for my tuition, but also provide me with a coach, competitive environment, and pay for tournaments. I sent out my golf resume and I decided for Cameron.
Jerry Hrnciar became your coach there. By his last name it seems like his ancestry is from Slovakia…
Yes, both of his parents came from Myjava. They moved to Texas cause that was the place that reminded them of home the most. Hrnciar grew up in U.S. so he knows only few words in Slovak but he is 100% Slovak. That is also one factor that I considered when I was choosing a place to play at. American coaches naturally tend choose Americans over foreigners if they are at the same level.
Since the golf program paid for your tuition did that mean that school is not the first priority?
That is only true about big sports at big schools. Many football and basketball power houses pass their athletes just so they can compete. Schools can make millions on tickets and apparel, golf is a little sport when it comes to this so golfers have to do their own work.
How did the time spent abroad help you?
I was constantly exposed to golf environment and great players. While I was in Slovakia I was one of the best I felt like I am not getting better anymore but have lot of potential. Being there pushed me few steps further. Same result that would be easily enough to win back home put me in the middle of the pack in the U.S.
Many people do not even believe golf is a sport. Do people even break sweat while playing?
Of course, that is the beauty of the sport. It can be played by a 70 year old person as well by 20 year old athlete in his prime. Flexibility, physical strength and timing are critical. Only walking the course can be exhausting. If you add high temperatures to that it can be extremely exhausting. I played in couple tournaments in Houston this June. It was 100 degrees and 95% humidity. Imagine walking 7 miles every day for two weeks in that weather. I was tired after the first round.
Does any part of the body suffer during while swinging?
I would say it would be the joints in general. Even though the swing might look pretty the human body is not designed to turn and twist so many different direction. If someone uses wrong technique the joints and body might get worn out.
You had an injury yourself. How did it happen?
I had a great 2008 season in U.S. and even better in Europe during the summer. I won more than 10 tournaments that year. I wanted to play even better next year so I practiced very hard spring of 2009. It was a very dry spring in Oklahoma and the ground was very firm. The thousands of balls I hit made my swell up and I was out for 5 months.
What would you say is more important, mental or physical part of the game?
The mind is 70% of the success I would say. Great example is Tiger Woods. He did not have the best swing, he was one of the strongest but not the strongest but he had the best head on his shoulders.
Is it difficult to find sponsors? How do they help you?
It is not easy in U.S., not even here in Slovakia. Money is extremely important when you want to get your career started. I need equipment, means of transportation, pay for my entry fees, coach and travel expenses. During my amateur career in Slovakia I was able to meet many executives of bigger companies since the game is not for everyone yet. Once I turned professional I asked them if they could help me. Some of them said yes, some said no. I believe that is how it goes in every sport.
How well do you have to do to make a living?
I would said that keeping your card every year on the tour shold do it. Best 125 gets to keep it every year other have to qualify again.
When could we expect that you will make it there?
I would like to play in the q-school this year. I think by next year my game should be ready.
When does golfer’s career usually peek?
It can be anywhere between 20-40. Some players can even stay competitive even longer than that. Good example would be Greg Norman that almost won The Open few years back at the age of 53.
This year’s US Open trophy was taken by young Rory McIlroy. Were you surprised?
Not really, he has been playing very well for a while now. He almost won the Masters if it wasn’t for the back nine. He learned from his mistakes and deserved to win.
What would you recommend to someone who wants to start playing golf?
Many golfers spend lot of money on equipment which really does not make much difference at the beginning. I would say the most important thing is to find a good coach that knows the game well. If someone starts learning bad habits from early on they are hard to forget.
What is the role of the caddy on the course?
He does anything to make the player feel comfortable on the course. He carries the golf bag but most importantly he is there to support the player mentally.
Do players have their own caddies or do they have different ones for each tournament?
Player has the choice to bring his/her own caddy which best players do. Some players hire local caddies each tournament.
If you were to ask a random person in Slovakia to give you a name of a golfer it would probably be Tiger Woods even though he is not even in the top 20 in the world rankings. Not many know that Luke Donald is the current No.1 ranked player…
Once, I listened to an interview with Lee Westwood, which became top ranked player after Tiger. He played in a tournament in South Korea and went to a bar there. They asked him what he was doing there and he said he is playing in a golf tournament. They asked him: “Are you any good?” He replied:”World No.1 is that’s any good.” I understand when people around the world are not familiar with this change.
What is your opinion on Wood’s sex scandal?
First, I did not believe it. He is very disciplined on the course so I would assume he would be the same outside the golf course. It turned out to be the other way around. He disappointed many people.
Many athletes experienced something similar and still played well but Tiger did not perform well since…
His ego, self image and confidence suffered dramatically. New players do not respect him as the ones he played with few years back. Most golfers on the tour feel like they can beat him now.
Do you believe that Woods will ever become world No. 1 again?
I think he will win tournaments in the future, even majors. I think he won’t beat Jack’s record and he won’t make it to the top of the world ranking again though.
Do you personally know any PGA Tour professionals?
I was introduced to Chad Campbell once at one of our tournaments. His brother is a coach of one of the teams that we competed agaings.
How far do your ambitions go when it comes to golf?
I want to win as many tournaments as possible at the highest level possible. I am motivated and I love the game of golf. I believe this is a great combination for success.
Peter Svajlen (25)
He is the first Slovak professional golf that qualified for a European Tour event (Czech Open). During his junior years he represented Golf Club Hainburg. Before he left to United States he won the Austrian junior tour NOKIA Cup back to back. In 2005 he started competing for Cameron and became the no. 1 player on the team after his first two years. He was given the All-American award both his junior and senior year. He finished his college career with a 8th place at the National Tournament in 2010.
