News

Croatian Junior Championship scheduled for the end of May

Croatian Junior Championship is scheduled for 26 & 27 May 2012. Competition for the title of junior champion of Croatia will be staged on golf course in Krašić with two competitive rounds in a stroke play format. Players born 1991 or later, citizens of Croatia who are validly registered at the Croatian Golf Federation are eligible to compete. Best placed players on the Croatian Junior Championship will be offered right to compete on certain international tournaments in adequate age divisions.

CGF appointed Handicap Committee

In line with new EGA Handicap rules and with Licence Agreement signed between Croatian Golf Federation and European Golf Association CGF Board of Directors appointed CGF Handicap Committee. CGF Handicap Committee was appointed for a four years term; it is composed of a chairman and four members. Dino Klisović was appointed as a chairman and Sanja Šerfezi Lovrić, Nikola Kovačević, Božidar Ivačić and Andrija Antić as a members. CGF Handicap Committee main tasks are governing EGA Handicap within Republic of Croatia what primarily means operational implementation of duties connected with those issues.

CGF assume administration of the EGA Handicap in Croatia

In line with European Golf Association (EGA) rules and on the ground of the Licence Agreement between Croatian Golf Federation and European Golf Association CGF acquired right to administer and allot EGA Handicap within Republic of Croatia.

Congruently to the EGA Handicap new rules which are in force from 1 January 2012 all national golf federations became the only authorized bodies regarding EGA Handicap for the territories of their respective countries. As aforementioned rules were set for a period of four years (2012 - 2015) in a same way licence agreements with EGA members were signed for a period from 1 January 2012 until 31 December 2015.

New EGA Handicap rules command that not a single golf body nor association may administer or allot EGA Handicap for any player except they posses a written authorization made by a national golf federation. Croatian Golf Federation, at its discretion, does not intend to give authorizations of that kind in favor of other golf legal entities but assumes the responsibility as handicapping authority and intend to administer and govern EGA Handicap in Croatia by itself.

EGA Handicap rules, recently enforced, clearly states that EGA Handicap may be allotted and administered for members of golf clubs affiliated to a national golf federation, for individual members of a national golf federation (which option, due to relevant valid laws, is not possible in Croatia) and for individual players who are, as such, registered and controlled by a national golf federation. Respecting the fact that some part of golf players in Croatia are currently members of golf clubs which are not affiliated to the Croatian Golf Federation in forthcoming weeks, exclusively regarding EGA Handicap, option of individual registration at the Croatian Golf Federation for individual players will be established.

Respecting obligations from the Licence Agreement CGF will appoint relevant Handicap Committee which will be in charge of EGA Handicap matters.

Please take note of the fact that, from January 2012, nobody in our country except CGF is allowed to administer or allot EGA Handicap nor use, in any context, trademark and term of EGA Handicap without prior authorization in writing. Also, no golfers may represent or introduce themselves as players with any kind of EGA Handicap if they have not register their EGA Handicap by the Croatian Golf Federation unless their home club (through which they regulate those issues) is not from Croatia. To be able to legally attain and have EGA Handicap administered in a valid way all golfers in Croatia must register themselves by one of the aforementioned ways at the Croatian Golf Federation. We invite all of them to do it.

Croatian Golf Federation will, in due course of time, present new EGA Handicap rules in detail. All golf clubs CGF members and all golfers may, for any inquires and questions, refer to the CGF by e-mail hgs@golf.hr or hrvatskigolfsavez@yahoo.com and by fax 01 4566050.

New EGA Handicap rules were published in english. Croatian Golf Federation intends to translate it, before the end of 2012, into our own language.

Announced schedule of the Croatian Golf Federation official competitions for 2012

Croatian Golf Federation announced calendar of its official competitions in men's division for the year of 2012. Regarding Croatian Golf League there are no big changes while the Croatian Individual Championship will be held, for the first time since 2002, before summer holidays. Concrete golf courses on which all mentioned competitions would be played will be announced before 15 February 2012 as latest.

Calendar of the CGF official competitions for 2012 - men

Croatian Golf Federation remains as European Golf Association full member

On the occasion of Annual General Meeting of the European Golf Association (EGA) held in Bilbao on 23 October 2011, on which it participated with its official representatives Božidar Ivačić and Dino Klisović, Croatian Golf Federation gave an official press release as follows:

„By the Arbitral Award of the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne from 20 June 2011 Croatian Golf Federation was, by the same date, returned into full membershp of the European Golf Association.

EGA recognized and executed decisions from the Arbitral Award but, with a letter from 11 July 2011, announced further examination of the CGF status on its next Annual General Meeting.

Inspite there were no presumptions nor real reasons, deciding over CGF status was inserted on the Agenda of the EGA Annual General Meeting in Bilbao. In early October EGA forwarded adequate documentation from which it was clear that the CGF expulsion from the EGA membership is proposed.

By appropriate, timely and efficient CGF reaction that attempt, which was mainly based on a prejudiced and inaccurate review regarding our situation made by some sports institutions from Croatia, was successfully and completely prevented.

CGF, in several ways, informed EGA members and their official representatives about real and existing facts and incontestable status of the CGF as the only national golf federation in the Republic of Croatia. CGF statements were grounded on arguments, facts and material proofs instead of impression.

After it became clear that proposed decision towards CGF expulsion is not well founded it was completely withdrawn and removed from the Agenda. It was concluded that this topic can not be examined nor discussed before the end of all legal procedures connected with establishing of the CGF status within Croatia nevertheless of period of time it will be needed before its valid conclusion.

Official CGF representatives supported that attitude respecting generally accepted principle it is not permissible to prejudice anything while procedures connected with the same issue are still pending and are not validly resolved.

So CGF retained status as one out of forty two EGA full members with all rights derived from that status.

Therefore, some rumours that were coming from several croatian golf clubs and individuals announcing CGF expulsion from EGA in favour of one private golf association as a done deal were completely denied.

We express special gratitude to Božidar Ivačić and Dino Klisović who were, as our official delegates, representing CGF on the EGA Annual General Meeting in Bilbao and in all alternative communication with other EGA members.

Remaining as recognized and equal member of an international golf community, CGF finds an additional motivation for harder work and greater devotion towards fulfilment all of its tasks in a status of national sports federation.“

Croatian Golf Federation
Dino Klisović, Board of Directors Chairman

Golf Club Quercus gained 27th place on the European Men's Club Trophy

Team of Golf Club Quercus successfully participated on the European Men's Club Trophy which was held in Antalya, Turkey. On the National Golf Club golf course team composed of Lovro Plejić, Andrija Antić and Igor Čupić finally placed 27th out of 29 teams which competed this year. Total result of our representatives was 533 strokes in a way that all days scores of Lovro Plejić and Andrija Antić counted for a team score. Lovro Plejić played three competition rounds in 262, Andrija Antić in 271 and Igor Čupić in 296 strokes. It is to emphasise it is the first time after eight years that our team was better than two other teams on this championship plus Lovro Plejić - counting croatian players - competed on this tournament for a record sixth time. Golf Club de Lyon became new European Club Champion with a total result of 420 strokes.

Golf Club Quercus won Croatian Team Championship

Players of Golf Club Quercus successfully defended title of the Croatian Team Champions. On a fifth and sixth round of the Croatian Team Championship, which were held on a golf course Mokrice on 15 and 16 October, they even enlarged their lead ahead of Golf Club Fanatik which gained second place in a final rankings. Golf & Country Club Novi & Resort retained a third place. For Golf Club Quercus, which winning squad this year was composed of Andrija Antić, Lovro Plejić, Igor Čupić and Emir Afgan, this is a third title of the Croatian Team Champion - same success it achieved in the years of 2004 and 2010. The best individual result of the Croatian Team Championship - Croatian golf league this year was made by Andrija Antić who played all six round in a total of 496 strokes. Behind him were Vedran Žanko with 504, Lovro Plejić with 507 and Nikola Kovačević with 530 strokes. Considering winning team score it is worth noting that individual score of Andrija Antić counted all six rounds, score of Lovro Plejić counted in five rounds while in round four result of Igor Čupić counted. With a new title of the Croatian Team Champion Lovro Plejić won that title for a seventh time in his playing career which means unprecedented achievement so far in a male division. Team of Golf Club Quercus, composed of Andrija Antić, Lovro Plejić and Igor Čupić, will compete at the European Men's Club Trophy which is to be held in Turkey from 18 to 22 October this year.

Final rankings of the Croatian Team Championship - Croatian golf league 2011

Vedran Žanko is Croatian Amateur Champion

Vedran Žanko is Croatian Amateur Champion for 2011. On the Croatian Individual Championship, which was held on golf course in Krašić from 22nd to 25th September, Žanko convincingly gained his first title of Croatian Amateur Champion with excellent game during all four competition days. He was in a concecutive lead from the eighth hole of round one which lead he retained up to the end of championship. Although he won by six strokes margin his advantage was even bigger and six holes before the end of the last round he was ten strokes ahead. Final result of 311 strokes is the eighth best winning score in the history of Croatian Individual Championship, counting stroke average per round. Lower winning scores were posted only by Miroslav Raić (five times), Marin Štahan and Adam Brnić. Vedran Žanko was, until now, on the Croatian Individual Championships placed once second (2010), once third (2009) and once fourth (2003) while he was two times (2006 and 2007) a Croatian Team Champion. Lovro Plejić was, after two consecutive victories, a runner-up while Andrija Antić was third. Nikola Kovačević was, for the fourth time in his career, fourth. It is worth mentioning that Andrija Antić played a terrific second round of 70 strokes (what result equaled second best round ever in CGF official competitions), during which round he played second nine holes in just 33 strokes.

Croatian Individual Championship 2011 - official results

Golf Club Quercus enlarged its lead on the Croatian Team Championship

On 17th and 18th September third and fourth round of the Croatian Team Championship - Croatian golf league was held on a golf course in Krašić. First team of the current Croatian Team Champion - Golf Club Quercus - significantly enlarged their lead which also had after first two rounds of this competition. After four out of six rounds their lead in front of current runner-up - Golf club Fanatic - is a huge 21 strokes while third place is still held by Golf & Country Club Novi & Resort. Last weekend best game was produced by Andrija Antić (79 and 76 strokes) from Golf Club Quercus, which was also represented by Lovro Plejić and Emir Afgan (3rd round) and Igor Čupić (4th round). GC Fanatic team was composed of Marko Perica and Vedran Žanko and G&CC Novi & Resort of Nikola Kovačević and Neven Poldrugač. Last two rounds will be played in Mokrice on 15th and 16th October. Croatian Team Champion, in a status of the Croatian Golf Federation official representative, will participate on the European Men's Club Trophy from 20 to 22 October in Antalya, Turkey.

Croatian Team Championship - Croatian golf league official results after 4 rounds

Without croatian golfers on Universiade 2011

In Shenzhen, China 26th World Student Games - Universiade 2011 has started several days ago. For the second time in the history of this event golf is included in a regular sports program.

Although they were fully entitled to participate, and not on their own cost, there will not be any croatian golfers with a student status on a golf courses of Mission Hills Golf Club.

Respecting that Croatian Golf Federation is in a process of resolving its status within Croatian Olympic Committee - in a procedure that was recently initiated versus COC - it was not able to influence on a total debacle what happened according our representatives who were completely ommited from croatian national student team.

Four years ago, when golf was in a regular sports program for a very first time, three of our players plus a team coach were within official croatian sport delegation on Universiade in Bangkok 2007. Inspite the fact that even then CGF was in bad relations with COC, CGF leadership (which was then composed of Božidar Ivačić and Dino Klisović) in a routine manner, thanks to their knowledge and efforts, assured participation of our best student players on a high level and with no costs for our representatives.

Croatian Golf Federation does not want to speculate in public in what part was this huge and irreparable failure on players's account caused by COC understated attitude on golf and, on the other side, by obsequious behaviour towards COC plus lack of knowledge and incompetence of a leadership of one golf association which currently holds associated membership in COC with limited status.

What a chance was, in a diletant way, completely ruined shows a fact that on a next Universiade in Kazan, Russia (2013) as on a next Mediterranean games in Mersin, Turkey (2013) there will not be golf on a sports program so it is already obvious that there will be no golf on any official international multisports event at least before 2015.

Young croatian players were probably unaware what was, and how, missed. Once again, it was proved that incapacity in governing is much more dangerous than lack of good scores on a golf courses.

Croatian Golf Federation has initiated procedure against Croatian Olympic Committee

After successful end of a court trial versus European Golf Association (EGA) Croatian Golf Federation officially started procedure with a request to set aside Croatian Olympic Committee decision according cease of the Croatian Golf Federation full membership in the Croatian Olympic Committee and a request to order payment of all financial claims which Croatian Golf Federation has against Croatian Olympic Committee.

In the first degree case will be pending at the Croatian Olympic Committee Sports Arbitrary Council and in the second degree at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne; the same court which was in charge in a recent dispute of CGF vs. EGA.

Golf Club Quercus is in the lead after first two rounds of the Croatian Team Championship 2011

First team of actual Croatian Team Champion - Golf Club Quercus - is in the lead after first two rounds of the Croatian Team Championship 2011 in a men's division. On a golf course in Krašić, competing with just two players (Lovro Plejić and Andrija Antić) with a score of 327 strokes they gained a lead of 3 strokes ahead first team of Golf Club Fanatik (330 strokes) which was composed of Marko Perica, Vedran Žanko and Marijan Majić. Golf & Country Club Novi & Resort is in a third place with a team of Nikola Kovačević, Siniša Nikolić and Neven Poldrugač with 354 strokes. Second team of Golf Club Quercus, represented with Emir Afgan and Igor Čupić, placed fourth. Third and fourth round of the Croatian Team Championship 2011 is scheduled for 17 and 18 September 2011.

Croatian Team Championship - Croatian golf league 2011 results after 2 rounds

Arbitration between CGF and EGA is finished

With the final award of the highest sport court - Court of Arbitration for sport in Lausanne - arbitration which was pending since November 2010 between Croatian Golf Federation and European Golf Association caused by EGA Assembly decision from 17 October 2010 regarding CGF exclusion is over. Croatian Golf Federation succeeded in full with its claims so previous EGA Assembly decision, because of substantial and procedural reasons, was completely set aside. After the end of arbitration Croatian Golf Federation gave an official statement as follows: