Macedonia may not even have a golf course in the country yet but it has managed to enter a team for the World Amateur Team Championships in Turkey.
This is the first time the former Yugoslav republic has entered the prestigious team event but the country has already made an impression with 17 year-old Peter Stojanovski posting an even par 71 at the Sultan Course at Antalya Golf Club.
Earlier this year Stojanovski won the Emirates Amateur Open in Dubai but golf is still very much in its infancy in Macedonia and there is currently only a driving range.
With interest in golf growing in the country, however, a delegation attended a special Working for Golf seminar organised by The R&A in Prague earlier this year. The seminar fostered a desire among the delegation to begin entering international competitions and a team was put forward for the Eisenhower Trophy being played this week.
Duncan Weir, Executive Director – Working for Golf, said: “It is good to see Macedonia playing in the championship for the first time. They have shown great enthusiasm for golf and hopefully this will encourage more people to take up the game there. When you consider that Stojanovski’s first round score matched that of the current US Amateur Champion then you appreciate how well they have done.”
