Petra Babicova is back at her home course at TALE Ski Golf & Hotel Resort ahead of this week’s Ladies Slovak Golf Open on the LET Access Series (LETAS).
The 21-year-old Slovak amateur grew up playing golf alongside her cousin Tatiana Babicova, 16, on the ski slopes of Tale.
“We’re family, she’s playing as well in this tournament,” Petra said. “I’m glad we can play on our home course and it’s a pretty good feeling and atmosphere since we can have our families here and our friends around.
“Last year, I was quite hard on myself since i had a pretty high expectation since it’s my home course. I was trying really hard. This year I would just like to play, be relaxed and be in the present and enjoy the game.”
At the PGA Championship in Sweden, Petra made her first cut of the season. She said: “It was the most interesting one because I was one shot below the cut line, and I was just looking at it every second.
“Then it dropped right where my score was. It was like an emotional roller coaster so I was pretty glad that I made it. It’s always a good feeling when you make a cut.”
Petra only started taking golf seriously at the age of 13, which served as a big inspiration for her cousin Tatiana.
Tatiana said: “She’s five years older than me. She was always the girl that was hitting it further and playing better. For me, she was an incredible person that I tried to catch up to. To have like a person like that was great for me.
“We trained together, played together, and still do. It’s incredible to have someone so close in your family. I don’t have any sisters so for me she’s like a golf sister.”
About playing together on LETAS, Petra added: “For us, it’s a pretty big thing since we can play with the pros. We’re just glad we can be here, just see how different our golf is. It’s a good experience for us.”
Tatiana, who only began playing competitive golf four years ago, is hoping to follow in the footsteps of her cousin.
She said: “It came as a dream when I was watching TV, looking at the girls and I always wanted to play really good and I realised that maybe it would be something I really like to do.
“So at 12 years old, I just decided that I’m going to give it my hardest and see where it puts me because sometimes you can do it, sometimes you can’t. I’m not putting too much pressure on myself, like it’s a dream and we’ll see if it comes true.”
Petra, who is playing Division 1 college golf in the United States, has shown Tatiana the possibilities of pursuing a career in golf.
Tatiana added: “I would say it’s still far away because I’m only 16. If the opportunity presents itself, I would really like to go to the US. But a lot of things can change in two or three years.
“I would like to play on a professional level. I don’t know where the golf path takes me, how good I will play, but I think being here with the girls, seeing how they like train, what they do and on their average days, I would say that would be the goal.
“I have Slovak friends who are professionals. so it’s incredible to see what they do, and yeah, that would be the goal to do what they do.”
