Paul Tomita was one of the most distinguished golf professionals in twentieth-century Romania — a man who devoted nearly seven decades of his life to the sport, and who, at the age of 81, founded the club that bears his name.

Timeline

• 12 June 1914Born in Pianu de Sus, Alba County, Romania.
• 1930Begins work at the Băneasa Sports Circle "Country Club", Bucharest.
• 1937Awarded the title of Golf Professional by the London Golf Professionals Association. Becomes golf instructor to King Carol II and Queen Marie of Romania.
• 1937–1975Golf instructor at Country Club Bucharest — nearly four decades training generations of players and foreign diplomats.
• 1968Named most remarkable personality of the World Cup by Golf Illustrated magazine.
• 1968–1975Represents Romania at the Golf World Championships in 8 countries: Italy, England, Singapore, Czechoslovakia, Argentina, USA, Australia, Spain.
• 1973Achieves a Hole in One at Country Club, Cup 8, 169 metres — at the age of 59.
• 1975Forcibly retired by the communist regime. Settles in Pianu de Jos.
• 22 February 1995Founds Golf Club prof. Paul Tomita — the first golf club in Romania.
• 9 October 2000The first professional golf course in Romania is inaugurated at Pianu de Jos.
• 21 July 2004Passes away at 90. His obituary is published in the Washington Post.

In his own words

"About 80% of the people I meet say I'm mad to build a golf course here. But I'm not mad. This is my dream, and one day people will see it was worth it."

"Golf is my life — it is everything to me."

"Dracula? A poor golfer." — when asked about the Transylvanian legend

International recognition

Tom Scott, Golf Illustrated, 1968: "It takes no more than two minutes to take a liking to Paul Tomita. The World Cup has produced some great characters — certainly none more remarkable than the Romanian Paul Tomita."

Washington Post, July 2004: Full obituary — one of the very few Romanian sportspeople honoured in the American national press.

The legacy

The 2026 reconstruction is a tribute to his vision — that golf belongs in the heart of Transylvania.

Commemorative plaque