There is an interesting article in today’s Glas Istre (The Voice of Istria). It claims that golf was played on the peninsula ever since Roman times. Called paganica, it was played with hooked sticks and feather-stuffed balls. According to the article, both implements were found by archeologists close to a place where a golf course is planned. In short, the case for golf is made by ancient history, a sure guide to a fruitful future. However, the quickest of searches on the World Wide Web shows that paganica is believed to be the precursor not only of golf, but also of field hockey. As the archeological evidence shows that it was actually a team sport, field hockey seems to win over golf by a wide margin. Of course, the leading Istrian newspaper is partial to golf, just like its leading politicians. Field hockey is thus not mentioned. Even though the enthusiasm of the politicians has flattened with the global economic crisis, the archeological argument is still of some value. The eager newspaper is only doing its best to be of some help to those on high. Paganica, anyone?