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Sense of community drives rise of golf in the Balkans
20 Aug 26
8 mins
Community spirit and local connections are driving the rise of golf across the Balkans, a region where the game has historically sat outside the mainstream sporting landscape.
New championships are creating opportunities for players to compete across borders, more women and juniors are being drawn into the sport and stars with the ability to perform on the biggest stages are starting to emerge. Across south-eastern Europe, this progress is being driven by a growing network of players, organisers and associations working to build something lasting. As players gathered ahead of the inaugural Balkan Women's Open in early April, the exchange of phone numbers, stories and future playing plans were symbolic of the momentum being seen across the region. As custodians of the game, The R&A’s purpose is to open golf to the world while working with national federations and other partners. Therefore, the efforts of the Bulgarian Golf Association have been central to expanding the sport, while the emergence of new championships has created fresh opportunities for golfers to travel, compete and form friendships. Statistics from The R&A’s Global Golf Participation Report in 2025 highlight growth, with Croatia enjoying a 5% rise in registered golfers – members of a golf club or otherwise affiliated to their national federation through a direct subscription – from 2024. Bulgaria also grew by 3%. At grassroots level, one of the most notable initiatives has been the launch of the aforementioned Balkan Women's Open – a championship designed to provide competition while strengthening connections between players from different countries.
Savina Pesheva of the Bulgarian Golf Association has been a driving force behind the championship. After a successful first edition at Bucharest Golf Club in Romania, her focus has already turned to building on that encouraging start.
“There were 66 ladies from four countries and there were three divisions – A, B and C,” she explains. “It went well and everyone enjoyed it. In the first year to have that number of players was amazing.
“We had an opening dinner and it was a mixture of all the countries. Everyone was swapping phones, exchanging details and inviting each other to different championships. It was communication like we were all one country.”
Seth Underwood, General Secretary of the Bulgarian Golf Association, had the idea for the Balkan Women’s Open after watching a presentation on the Balkans Junior Tour at the AGM of the European Golf Association last November. After a successful first year, he explained that plans are already in place for the championship's future editions, with host venues mapped out for the next three years.
“Our target is 90 to 100 women playing next year,” he said. “Next year will be hosted in Sofia, 2028 will be in Belgrade and then 2029 we will be in Zagreb. “I just had the idea for the championship but Savina made this happen. She is the driving force behind it all. It's not just about the golf. It's about the camaraderie. It's about meeting people from different countries.”
Watch: Inaugural Balkan Women's Open is a huge success
Hugo Mills, Director Golf Development – Europe, Canada & Latin America at The R&A, said, “It is pleasing to read these success stories as golf in the Balkans continues to blossom.
“Working with national federations is so important to our development work and championships like the inaugural Balkan Women's Open highlight the interest and desire to play golf.
“With The R&A unveiling a new five-year global strategy earlier this year aiming to open golf to millions more people, our research underlines the sport’s growing appeal and provides a strong platform for long-term development.”
If the Balkan Women's Open reflects the momentum being seen throughout the region, golfer Draga Cherecheanu offers a personal illustration of what that growth looks like.
The 75-year-old from Bucharest did not begin playing the sport until a visit to Canada introduced her to the sport by chance. “Up until I was 64 I never thought about golf,” she said. “When I turned 64 I made a visit to Canada with some friends.
“One of them plays golf and he invited me to the driving range. He gave me a basket of balls and a club and said to me, 'look at me and (do it) yourself'.”
Draga Cherecheanu (second from left) has embraced the game having started playing at the age of 64.
After catching the bug, Draga returned home and began playing on a nearby nine-hole course, learning gradually and meeting others who helped guide her. Before long, she was travelling to events in Bulgaria and embracing the competitive and social side of golf.
She continued, “After one year I saw a notice that the Bulgarian Golf Association had the President’s Cup. I wrote to them, paid the fee and went along. The people understood I was a beginner but I still got a point. From then up until now I have played in all the Bulgarian Association President's Cup."
She temporarily stepped away from the game after back surgery three years ago but returned within six months and credits golf with helping her physically and mentally.
“Golf is great for health, not just physical but mental,” she said. “I find that when I am about to play, instead of thinking about everything, my mind is empty. I think this is very important."
"Golf is great for health, not just physical but mental. I find that when I am about to play, instead of thinking about everything, my mind is empty. I think this is very important."
Draga Cherecheanu
Balkan Women's Open competitorFor Underwood, Draga represents much of what makes the Balkan golf community so special. “Her energy is amazing,” he noted. “For everything we host, Draga is one of the first to register. She is incredible. Here in the Balkans, it's like one big family. For the last ten years she has met so many people from different countries and in this game you make friendships for life.”
Alongside the sense of community, the emergence of players such as Yordan Yanakiev underlines the strengthening of the region's talent pipeline. Aged just 17, Yanakiev recently made history as the first Bulgarian golfer to compete on the DP World Tour, a landmark moment for golf in the Balkans.
Four years earlier, he won the Eastern European and Middle East Trophy at The R&A Junior Open, his success paving the way for future generations to follow.
Ahead of his DP World Tour debut at the Turkish Airlines Open in April, he said, “It's a massive honour to represent Bulgaria, being the first to ever do it. I definitely have high expectations for myself. I hope my fellow Bulgarians also have high expectations for me.”
Learn more about the work of the Bulgarian Golf Association here.