ART ECON High School Cup

The ART ECON High School Cup was founded in 2006 as a competition of three-member high school teams from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and neighboring countries. Pupils of secondary schools, eight-year schools and second levels of primary schools are nowadays allow to aprticipate as well. The High School Cup is the first event of its kind in the Czech Republic and its aims to „normalize“ golf and raise awareness about it through bringing golf to mass level during secondary and primary education.

Since its second year, the tournament has been part of the Official Tournament Calendar of the Czech Golf Federation. Since 2013, the tournament has been under the patronage of the Czech Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Education and Culture. The partner of the High School Cup is the Professional Association of Golfers of the Czech Republic, PGA of Czech Republic.

In its long and rich history, the event was played by all current nationa team memebers and famous names of Czech professional golf: Klára Spilková, Jana Melichová, Vítek Novák, Filip Mrůzek, Jiří Zuska, Sára Kousková, and many others.

The winning team score in 2023 was 22 shots under par.

The number of registrants oscillates between 20-40 three-member teams (the record number was 48 teams in 2011). In 2023, 27 teams signed up for the 17th edition. Teams are accompanied by captains, mainly physical education teachers, parents, school management, classmates and fans. The day’s program includes, among other things, an academy for non-players, a tournament for event partners and the possibility of school presentations.

2006

první ročník

od 2013

pod záštitou ČOV a MŠMT

48

rekord v počtu přihlášených družstev

The concept of tournament day is quite exceptional in the Czech environment. The teams attend a ceremonial start in the compulsory uniform of the school, carrying boards with the name of the represented school. The play is officially open by the Czech national anthem, which is presented by the soloist Sempreopera in Dresden and the avid golfer Štěpánka Pučálková.

The event has a Patron who conducts the „opening drive“.

The list of Patrons of the High School Cup in previous years is rich in golf loving, truly famous Czech sportmen and women and celebrities: Roman Šebrle, Dominik Hašek, Kateřina Neumannová, Dušan Salfický, Klára Spilková, David Suchařípa, Vladimír Šmicer, Lucie Borhyová and Marta Jandová.

The competition is a two best stroke play scores out of three on each hole. The winning team holds the famous trophy for year and recieves a smaller version. The pedestal of the „Big one“ features names of all previous winners.

Unfotunately, the historically first, silvery „Traveling Cup“ did not survive, the winning team from the Karlovy Vary Gymnasium destroyed it during the victory celebrations at their alma mater. It was replaced by its “golden” version.

From 2021, a gold putter originally belonging to His Excellency King Juan Carlos of Spain is used for the ceremonial „opening putt“. The unique story „behind“ the golden putter is here.

The 18th edition will take place on September 24, 2024 in the Karlštejn Golf Resort

The story behind the golden putter.

Years ago, I opened one of the envelopes in the mail and there is the letter on the first picture. So, I make the call, come to her place, Mrs. Havelková opens the door, quite affected by Alzheimer’s disease, but bravely and strongly fighting back, well enough to make us a tea, and about an hour of exchanging stories follows. Among other things, she apologized for using the typewriter because her writing is no longer legible…. Old age is hell, tears flowed down my heart.

After the tea, which she kept in the same “Gold Mix” tin box that my grandmother used to use, she gets up and brings out the gold-plated putter (Figure 2). Even though she didn’t want to, I gave her quite a bit of money and in about 2 months I tried to come again for tea, and with flowers. It was too late.

I never sold it. Never chased the value. I use it once a year for the ceremonial “drive/putt” during the High School Cup I have been promoter of for 17 years. Štěpánka Pučálková, soloist of Sempreoper Dresden and keen golfer herself had the honour in 2023.

If Mrs Havelková could see all these children in all those years she would probably be happy.

Transcript of the letter:

Dear Mr. Babicky,
Please excuse my directiveness.

My late husband Jiří was a keen golfer all his life. He was a member of the Mariánské Lázně Golf Club. We had spent long years living abroad. During his business trips Jiří met HRH Juan Carlos, King of Spain, and they became friends. After one of their golf games the King gave Jiří this gold-plated putter.

I don’t play golf myself. I assume the club could be of significant value, but it is of no use to me.

You are the only Czech golfer I know therefore please let me offer this club to you. Hopefully it can be of use to you.

If you are interested, please let me know.

Greetings,
Havelková
August 17, 2008

Download the Propositions of the ART ECON High School Cup 2024 here

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