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10 Questions With... Golfer Petr Hruby
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European Petr Hruby brings his own ‘spin’ to the Husky golf team, loves Seattle and plays an important role on Alan Murray’s squad
A CONVERSATION WITH BOB SHERWIN FOR GO HUSKIES MAGAZINE
Petr Hruby, a senior on the University of Washington golf team, was raised in Pilsen, Czech Republic, a midsize city about 50 miles west of Prague. Yet after four years living on the other side of the globe in Seattle, this, he considers to be home.
“I always feel at home in America these days, Seattle specifically,” Hruby said. “I haven’t lived there (Czech Republic) for six years now. My friends are here. The U.S. is more of a home for me, even though I may not be allowed to stay here.”
Hruby has developed into a fine golfer and significant contributor in his four years as a Husky. He credits much of what he has become, what he has done and who he is, to the university taking a chance on him. As he says, all “those memories you’re never going to forget, thanks to Washington.”
Hruby, who was part of Washington’s Pac-12 Championship a year ago, still has one more year of eligibility (COVID exemption) next year. Then, he’ll begin his quest to stay ‘home’ by qualifying among the many ways that lead to the PGA Tour. Failing that, he might be required to return Europe, but he said, “I don’t think I can go back home and not play golf.”
Here’s a 10-question look into the man from Pilsen.
You come from Pilsen, Czech Republic, where golf is not among the most popular activities. How did you get involved in the sport?
“I felt like I was part of the Tiger (Woods) Boom, as my parents were swept up by that in the 1990s. As a little kid, they would always bring me out to the golf course. Basically, I grew up on the course. After about 2000, it really started growing. There’s a lot more golf played there these days.’’
As a teen, you developed into a solid player but what path did you follow to secure a spot on an American college golf team?
“When I was 14 or 15, I was playing well and there were a bunch of guys better than me going to (American) colleges. I said I wanted to do that, so I started thinking about the best way to get there. Winters aren’t great in (Czech Republic), so I decided to go try the (Bishop Gates Golf) Academy in Florida. I thought I’d be there for three or four months, but I finished high school there. I was in a tournament with (eventual UW teammate from China) Bo Peng and Coach (UW's Alan Murray) walked with our group. I didn’t play well, but I guess he liked my game. Plus, I managed to win the Doral Public Tournament in Miami. I had no contacts at all before that, but that put my name out there. Good timing.’’
Do you find yourself using Czech expressions when you golf, or have you switched to American ones?
“My freshman year, it was normal for me to swear. But in the States, I found that it’s kind of clean. So, I’d swear in Czech. I definitely abused it too much. I needed to calm down and coach said it was a good way for me to stop speaking Czech.’’
What English words did you find that were the hardest to pronounce?
“It’s funny you would say that. Taehoon (Song, a UW teammate from South Korea) and I both have trouble with ‘regularly.’ It’s a pretty common word, but I have to take a second and pronounce it slowly. It’s a tongue twister for me. But I think I’ve been in America so long now that English has become my No. 1 language.’’
How did you learn to speak English so well?
“English in the Czech Republic is like Spanish here in the States. Everyone takes it in school. When I went to Florida, there was no other option. You had to improve your level of speaking. So you watch movies and videos. English is all around you.’’
You were part of UW’s Pac-12 championship team a year ago. What did you take away from that experience, particularly watching the team’s top players, R.J. Manke and Noah Woolsey?
“I felt like I learned so much, looking back at it. Their golf IQ was so good and their ability in getting the ball into the hole as fast as possible. They were not great drivers but really knew how to score. All of us have an ‘A’ game and can shoot a 64. But their ‘B’ game is so good. They can shoot a 70 on a bad day. That’s what separates them. They were mentally calm and could manage their emotions. I would see R.J. react to a bad hole and it was like he didn’t care.’’
How have you managed this American transition, moving to Florida as a teenager then shifting 3,000 miles from the sunny southeast to the cold/wet northwest for the past four years?
“I did not love it there (in Florida). Back home, my country is a lot more like Washington. People say it’s miserable (weather) but I prefer it over always sunny Florida. Playing the whole winter there you’re almost burnt out by the time spring comes. Here, you can find different things to do, getting breaks from golf. I find that much more beneficial than a month straight on the course in Florida.’’
What do you do on your breaks?
“I love pickleball. I can play it two, three hours at a time. It’s so much fun. When I get a day off (from golf), I don’t prefer to sit around. I like pickleball. It’s competitive, you move around, run and sweat. There’s the fitness element to it, and you’re not thinking about anything else.’’
What places have you visited in America that have impressed you?
“I haven’t been to the southwest yet but I’m going there this summer. California has so many different landscapes – just the Bay Area alone. An hour drive away and it could be 15 degrees different, windy and goodness knows. I love Monterey, Cypress Point, Pebble Beach. Not a lot of people get to experience those courses. I would not have if I didn’t play for the Huskies. That hole (the par-3, 222-yard 16th) at Cypress was unreal. I made a really good drive then drained the 40-footer from downtown (for a birdie). It’s one of those memories you’re never going to forget, thanks to Washington.’’
Like everyone who plays college golf, you probably are dreaming of a professional career, somewhere. What’s your thoughts on the future?
“I’m less than a year away from leaving here and there are a lot of unknowns in the future. If I’m not able to stay in the States, what's that going to feel like? I love the States. Maybe I can catch on the Canadian Tour or Korn Ferry. It’s not going to be easy. The DP Tour (Europe) has a lot more open sponsor invites. I don’t think I can go back home and not play golf.’’
