From Ryder Cup Volunteering to PGA ROMANIA Vision: A Conversation with Sebastian Grecu, Co-Founder of PGA Romania

Photo: From right to left: Teo Grecu, Sebastian Grecu and journalist Radu Roman, at Thracian Cliffs in Bulgaria.

Interview conducted by Radu Roman (Sport – Editor North America) exclusively for TRIBUNA ROMÂNEASCĂ

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Radu Roman (Reporter TRIBUNA.US): Hello, Mr. Grecu. It is a pleasure to see you again. Our first meeting, by pure serendipity in Bucharest and the golf game at Thracian Cliffs, in Bulgaria, were memorable, but the reunion in Chicago, after you returned from volunteering for the Ryder Cup in New York, was truly a pleasant surprise. It was a unique experience to then play together at Whistling Straits, in Wisconsin. Thank you for agreeing to detail the vision behind PGA Romania.

Sebastian Grecu: Hello. Indeed, those moments spent in the United States were defining for me. Being a volunteer at an event of the magnitude of the Ryder Cup was an honor, an opportunity to see the management of a major tournament from the inside, and as for the Whistling Straits golf course, I can only say that it is simply magnificent. Those experiences fueled my desire to raise the standards of golf in Romania as well.

RR: Let’s stop for a moment at the Ryder Cup experience. What did it mean for you to be a volunteer at such a global event and what did you learn from there?

SG: It was an incredible experience. Being part of that huge machine, seeing the professionalism of each member of the staff, from organizing the course to managing the audience, is a lesson in management. I learned that excellence lies in the details and that a shared passion for the sport can mobilize thousands of people. This work ethic and level of organization are exactly what I try to implement through PGA Romania.

RR: Then, we met again in Chicago and played at Whistling Straits, a course renowned for its beauty and difficulty. What did that round give you in terms of perspective on the game?

(PHOTO: Sebastian Grecu, in the bunker at Whistling Straits)

SG: Whistling Straits is not just a difficult course, it is a strategic masterpiece. It forces you to think through every shot, manage your emotions and adapt to ever-changing conditions, especially the wind on the shores of Lake Michigan. This is the essence of golf: strategy, adaptability and mental discipline. These are also the qualities we want to instill in our PGA Romania members, not just technical knowledge.

RR: How would you translate these top experiences, from the Ryder Cup and Whistling Straits, into the local vision of PGA Romania?

SG: Both experiences confirmed to me that the dream of a high level of golf is achievable anywhere, as long as the right structure is in place. The Ryder Cup showed me what operational excellence means, and Whistling Straits, what excellence in course design and strategic play means. I hope that the experience in the United States will help us shape our learning and certification program, ensuring that future Romanian professionals are prepared not only to teach golf lessons, but to manage facilities and events to international standards.

RR: What is your main objective for the coming years through PGA Romania?

SG: The objective remains the same: to create a solid foundation for golf to grow organically in Romania. I want to see a vibrant community of certified, internationally recognized professionals who can train amateur or professional players and why not, discover talents in golf like Simona Halep or David Popovici, inspirational models for the new generations.

RR: In addition to the general vision of Romanian golf, I remember that, during the time we spent together, we shared a common dream, an idea that emerged during our discussions about golf. I am referring to the idea of ​​building a golf course for US Army and NATO personnel, near the Mihail Kogălniceanu base. What fueled this bold idea?

SG: [Smiles broadly] Ah, yes, that dream that took shape while I was reading your article, Golf and (American) Presidents, and I realized that I was thinking the same thing. We were discovering together a reality from the United States or other places where the US military is present: many US military bases have excellent golf facilities for their personnel. Golf is recognized not only as a method of recreation, but also as a fantastic tool for stress management or for creating a healthy social environment.

RR: And how would this translate into the context of the NATO base in Kogălniceanu?

SG: The Mihail Kogălniceanu base hosts thousands of soldiers, civilian personnel and dependents, who often spend long periods away from home. The existence of a golf course nearby would be an investment in their mental and physical well-being. It would provide an oasis of peace where these people, who work under conditions of major stress, could relax and recover. At the same time, a golf course in the vicinity of the military base would also have a beneficial effect on the community, for the city of Constanța and the neighboring counties it would be a great plus, it would create a new golf pole in the country from which to raise juniors.

RR: From the perspective of PGA Romania, how would you get involved in this project?

SG: Our role could be decisive in ensuring standards. We would not just want any course, but a facility that complies with international norms. PGA Romania can supervise the entire process, could later certify the instructors who will work there and implement initiation programs for soldiers and their families. We would ensure that the course is not just a leisure facility, possibly even a training center for PGA Romania members. At the same time, the proximity of a golf course near the Romanian coast would add to the tourist potential of the area and why not make Romania a more attractive location for golf tourism.

RR: Thank you very much, Mr. Grecu. It was a revealing discussion, which took us from Bucharest to Chicago and back, through the most pleasant experiences in golf.

SG: Thank you too. I look forward to our next round of golf, wherever it may be!