After the recent pandemic situation, Slovaks’ desire to be active and live a healthy life has increased. We have returned to activities that the unfavourable pandemic situation had taken from us. Team and individual sports, group training sessions, and exercising in fitness centres have become popular all again.
One of the new activities that has gained immense popularity in Slovakia, especially after previously mentioned pandemic, is footgolf. Have you heard of this sport? The game combines golf and football, where the player tries to get a football into large holes on a golf course.
Slovak sportswoman, Lucia Čermáková, transformed her love for this sport into tremendous international success, becoming the world champion in footgolf. Her journey to the title is a combination of determination, hard work, and discipline. As one of the pioneers of footgolf in Slovakia, Lucia overcame numerous challenges and inspired future generations of athletes with her great success.
Lucia Čermáková
How did you start with footgolf?
I came across footgolf completely by chance. I was doing an interview as the captain of a football team with one of the journalists. At the end, he asked me if I had heard of footgolf and whether I wanted to try it. It was just after the season, so I took the opportunity and later on signed up for my first tournament.
MY BIGGEST SPORT MOTIVATION HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MY PARENTS.
Why footgolf? Is it a typical sport for women?
This sport is for everyone, raging from children to men, and women to seniors. Women get to play an easier game at some challenging parts of the field, with features like shorter holes. I consider this a big plus since women don’t have as much leg strength as men. I fell in love with footgolf not only because it is an individual sport, whereas my whole life I was more focused on team sports, but also because I can see my own progress and push my limits.
WOMEN COMPLEMENT FOOTGOLF WITH THEIR ELEGANCE.
Lucia Čermáková
When did you come to a realisation that you’d like to play this sport professionally?
Such a turning point came about in my second year of playing. At that time, realized that footgolf began to fulfill me more than football. I made new friendships all over the world and had the opportunity to travel to new countries. I started collecting valuable international trophies, and as Slovak women, we have already “earned” respect among the other players. This was also one of the motivations.
How did the journey to the World Championships unfold?
I reached the World Championships after five years of training and countless tournaments played. Each tournament, whether Slovak or international, taught me incredible lessons, it made me stronger both physically and especially mentally.
Lucia Čermáková
Obviously, I had to qualify for the World Championships, which wasn’t a problem because I was achieving top placements in Slovak tournaments. I also placed on the podium in international tournaments. We went to the World Championships with the goal of finishing in the top 5, as long as I could withstand the enormous pressure. Fortunately, my mental preparation helped me endure until the very end of the tournament.
I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO MAKES MISTAKES. THAT’S WHAT SPORTS ARE ABOUT.
Do you have any fun or interesting experience from your career?
Once, a raccoon stole cookies from our golf cart and ran off into the woods with them. I was also surprised when a teammate kicked the ball into a lake, and an alligator swam up, grabbed the ball, and swam away with it! 🙂
Is footgolf becoming popular nowadays?
Footgolf has become popular worldwide, and its popularity continues to grow. New clubs, courses, and competitions are emerging. Many people are starting to play it recreationally, outside of competitions. In Slovakia, new clubs have also been established, and we have two new courses, as well as several new competitions for both players and beginners. I hope that even more players, both men and women, will try out this sport, and I’m sure that they will love it.
Lucia Čermáková
FOOTGOLF ISN’T JUST FOR PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS. YOU CAN TAKE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND SOME QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR LOVED ONES.
