Roman Ondrus is attempting to fly the Pitch and Putt flag in the Slovak Republic (Slovakia). We were delighted to catch up with him to get a flavour of the position there.

 

 

A. Pitch and Putt currently has no formal or nationally recognised governing structure in the Slovak Republic. It is not registered as an independent sport, nor does it appear in national sports policy documents, strategic frameworks, or the official list of supported sports organisations. As a result, there is no national federation, no state‑supported development programme, and no integration into Slovakia’s formal sports ecosystem.

Because Pitch and Putt is not formally recognised:

 

 

A. I am an active golf player with a current handicap of 21, although I am not presently registered with any golf club. In addition to my playing experience, I have been a licensed 3rd‑class golf coach since 2018, having completed my certification at the National Institute of Golf Education in Prague, Czech Republic.

While my primary background is in traditional golf, I have a strong interest in the development of Pitch and Putt as an accessible, community‑focused short‑game discipline. My coaching experience and long‑term involvement in golf provide a solid foundation for contributing to the growth of Pitch and Putt in Slovakia.

 

 

We have already initiated the process of establishing the Slovak Pitch and Putt Association, which will operate as a non‑profit civil organisation in full compliance with Slovak legal requirements and the national framework for sports organisations. The application for registration has been formally submitted to the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic, which is the competent authority for civil associations in the field of sport. In parallel, we have consulted the process with the Ministry of Sports and Tourism to ensure that the future association aligns with the regulatory expectations and structural standards of the Slovak sports system.

 

 

A. In addition to our efforts to establish the Slovak Pitch and Putt Association, we have also initiated constructive discussions with a prominent local investor in Northern Slovakia who has developed a high‑quality recreational complex featuring accommodation facilities, restaurants, an artificial lake, children’s playgrounds, parking infrastructure, and a range of supporting amenities. Both this investor and the local municipal leadership have expressed strong interest in utilising an adjacent area of approximately 7 hectares of available land within the complex to develop a community‑oriented movement and sports centre, with Pitch and Putt envisioned as a central and highly suitable component. Following the upcoming local elections expected in the next few months, we are hopeful that the newly elected municipal leadership will also support and endorse this development plan. We have additionally discussed with the investor the possibility of installing indoor golf simulators within the recreational complex to ensure year‑round operation, and he has responded positively to this idea.

 

 

A. We are actively working to raise awareness of Pitch and Putt and to promote the discipline across various communities, with a particular focus on Northern Slovakia. This region is characterised by its mountainous terrain, pristine natural environment, and strong sporting culture, making it an ideal location for the development of Pitch and Putt courses. The landscape naturally lends itself to short‑game golf formats, while the absence of existing golf infrastructure—combined with the fact that the nearest standard golf courses are typically more than 100 km away—creates a clear opportunity for accessible, community‑based sports development.

Pitch and Putt therefore represents an accessible, affordable, and community‑friendly alternative that can introduce the fundamentals of golf to new audiences and support grassroots sports participation. Our intention is to stimulate interest, build local engagement, and create the foundations for organised activity. Based on our experience, discussions, and ongoing engagement with active golf players, we are confident that there will be strong interest in developing this sport, particularly beginning in Northern Slovakia.

 

Q. Are tournaments being played at present?

 

A. At present, no tournaments are being played, as we do not yet have a Pitch and Putt course in operation. However, we are actively working toward establishing the first facilities, and we are optimistic that the inaugural tournament could take place in 2027.

 

 

A. Yes, we would very much welcome any form of support, particularly from countries such as Slovenia and Switzerland, which are already FIPPA members, as well as Bosnia, which is an aspiring member. Their experience and guidance would be extremely valuable for us at this early stage. Support in areas such as recommending experienced course designers, sharing best practices, and advising on opportunities to access European funding or development grants would be especially helpful. We would also appreciate assistance in identifying pathways for Slovakia to participate in international activities, events, and knowledge‑sharing platforms as we work toward building the foundations of Pitch and Putt in our country.

 

We wish Roman and his colleagues every success in the quest to bring Pitch and Putt to Slovakia. FIPPA will assist in any way that it can, particularly through our envoy for Central and South East Europe, Jozef Klancnik.