Emotional Czech return for Cejka
The European Tour’s return to the Czech Republic this week sees German Alex Cejka back in the country from which he and his father fled nearly 30 years ago.
Cejka, aged nine at the time, was on holiday when his father told him to swim across a river.
He has told the story many times since achieving fame as a golfer both in Europe and America.
“I really didn’t know where we were going, what was happening and suddenly he hugged me and said ’We did it’. We were in Germany,” he said.
“I’m very proud of my dad that he made this decision instead of staying in the Communism. Nobody was allowed to get out. I think they would shoot us if they catch us, but I don’t know – I was too young.
“If I’d stayed who knows. I may end up working in a factory.”
Cejka’s father has since moved back to the country and 12 years ago Cejka won a Challenge Tour event there.
Winner of the Volvo Masters in Spain two years before that, the 38-year-old is now based on the US Tour and in May led the Players Championship after three rounds.
The €2m Moravia Silesia Open presented by ALO Diamonds takes place at the Prosper Golf Resort in Celadna.
