The PGA of Slovakia made history at Fontana Golf Club in Austria after becoming the first team to take home the Confederation of Professional Golf’s International Team Championship and the International Team Shield since the event started 34 years ago.
The ITC sees teams of three professionals from across the Confederation of Professional Golf’s member countries battle it out against each other, while the International Team Shield tournament recognises those PGAs with 100 Members or less.
After the first round was abandoned due to high winds, team Slovakia – comprising Adam Puchmelter, Juraj Zvarik and Michal Brezovsky – got to work immediately with Puchmelter acting as leading man. Four birdies in his front nine were followed by four birdies and an incredible hole-in-one on Fontana’s 15th hole for a 62. Meanwhile Slovakia’s second score came after Zvarik battled for a solid level-par 72 enabling the team to finish at -10 for the event.
“I think it’s pretty special to be the first one to win both titles,” said Puchmelter after receiving the Sandy Jones Trophy at the CPG Annual Awards Supported By Rolex that capped-off the CPG Learning & Performance Summit week.
“Fontana did a tremendous job to prepare the golf course and make it happen this week. It wasn’t as windy as yesterday, so we took that opportunity and executed it well…we did four days of practice in Slovakia before this so it was pretty worthwhile.”
Second place fell to the PGA of Holland Team of Ralph Miller, Mark Reynolds and Ruben Wechgelaer, while the PGA of Austria team were a shot back in third.