Slovakia’s Michaela Vavrova is excited to play a full season on the LET Access Series (LETAS) in 2025 after improving her exemption category from 14 to two.
Vavrova’s best finish in 2024 came at her home event, the Ladies Slovak Golf Open where after a final day round of 67, she finished runner-up at her second professional start.
Playing on her home course, the week came with a lot of pressure for Vavrova, but the 2023 Slovak National Champion rose above it.
Speaking about the week, Vavrova said: “That week was a big deal for me. It was very nice to play in front of my family and friends and it was the highlight of my first professional season.
“I did feel pressure, especially leading up to the tournament. There were lots of expectations and people just kept asking me if I was going to win? Are you going to win?
“However, once we got to the tournament, I just said to myself that I just need to go and enjoy the week. I stayed patient and its kind of all came together on the last day, which was amazing.
“I think I was tied for 10th or 11th before the final round and then I shot five under and it just boosted me to second place. So, it was amazing.
“I’m now so excited for the 2025 event.”
Golf remains a small sport in Slovakia. For context there is around 10 full 18-hole golf courses in the whole country. Demark, a country of a similar size has over 200.
Vavrova turned professional in July last year alongside compatriot Katarina Drocarova. Together they increased the number of women competing professionally in Slovakia to three.
Commenting on the growth of golf in Slovakia, Michaela Vavrova said: “We now have three girls who are playing professional golf, which we didn’t have in ten years and we now have a tournament thanks to Tale and LETAS.
“So, we are seeing growth. I think it’s great for the younger girls that they can see us trying to get to on to the LET and that becoming a professional is possible.”
Vavrova admits the transition from amateur to professional has had its struggles as well as relocating back home.
“I miss the support system I had in the US because I was surrounded by people who eat, sleep, repeat golf.
‘There was golf everywhere. Then coming back here, I kind of struggle with the fact that golf is not as popular as in the US, which makes me kind of sad, but at the same time it’s a great opportunity for me and it also motivates me to do better, because I just know that there’s so much to work for.”
It was Vavrova’s grandfather who first introduced her to the sport at 10 years old, after he wanted company on the course.
“I think he somehow knew that I would be good at golf because he had done sports for his whole life.”
Vavrova’s grandfather, Dušan Bohňa was a gymnastics coach and remains one of her biggest champions.
“He was very excited when I turned professional. It was always his dream to do gymnastics professionally. But after getting sick when he was very young, he became a great coach.
“So, I think now he’s kind of reliving his dream through me but in a good way.
“Not in a way that I was forced to play golf, but he’s just taking it all in and really enjoying watching me grow and as a person and as a player.”
Vavrova’s grandfather has also caddied for her, including at last year’s Ladies Slovak Open.
“He’s going to be 82 soon, but he is very fit. It’s very nice to have him on the bag and just watch and help me.
“He is definitely one of my biggest cheerleaders for sure, alongside my mum.
“My mum is the most caring person I know, and I feel like I wouldn’t be where I am without having her by my side throughout the whole journey.”
Unlike most athletes on tour, becoming a professional golfer wasn’t something Vavrova considered or dreamt about until her eyes were widened in the US where she attended the university of Nebraska- London.
“My coaches from college are massive inspirations, Leanne Sutherland and Matt Zedrick. Leanne introduced me to a new way of thinking about golf and about life in general.
“She put things into perspective for me and I mean she still does, honestly.
“Every time I call her, I’m like, hey, I don’t know what to think about this and she just explains it.”
Vavrova can’t wait for the 2025 season to commence and whilst she is mostly excited for the second edition of the Ladies Slovak Golf Open, there are other new events that she has her eyes on.
“I’m honestly very excited about Austria because it’s kind of close to us, and so we will be able to drive and hopefully my family and friends can come watch me there as well.
“I’m also very excited about Portugal because I always wanted to go to Portugal and now I can.”
To learn more about the 2025 LETAS schedule, click here.
During the off-season, Vavrova has been working as a barista part-time and has enjoyed learning about her other passion- (good) coffee.
“I love the culture of baristas and the coffee shops, away from golf I like reading and just hanging out with people and having fun.
“It is nice being at home. I can kind of focus on old friendships and nourish them a little better than when I was in the US and that far away.”
Vavrova’s main goal is to earn her LET card through LETAS by ranking in the top seven on the Order of Merit.
“I’m excited for the season. I think it’s going to be a little better for me this year, since I know that I have a full card, and I can play every tournament.
“It was kind of tricky last year because I didn’t have the full card, so it was, based on the invites and if I play well enough one week and if I can play the next week, which is a tough position to be in.”
“I’m a big believer in the fact that my personal life and my professional life are very connected.
“So, I just want to be present and enjoy every week for what it brings and not really compare the weeks as they go.”
Vavrova’s season will get underway at the Terre Blanche Ladies Open, starting April third.
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