Annika Sörenstam, the world’s number one woman golfer, defends The Scandinavian TPC, hosted by Annika, at her home course of Bro Bålsta Golf Club in Sweden from Thursday.
The first lady of women’s golf won her national crown at Barsebäck Golf and Country Club this time last year but this week she is playing virtually in her own back garden at Bro Bålsta, the course on which she learned her game as a youngster.
Her parents still live in the childhood home five minutes away, which is where Sorenstam, her boyfriend Mike McGee and her sister Charlotta are spending the week.
Sorenstam and her sister Charlotta were two of the first junior members of the club when there were just six holes and Sorenstam recalls fond memories of the many hours she spent at the golf course.
“We were here from the beginning. We picked up moss; we had a cleaning day every year in April where we would be out there cleaning up the course and picking up twigs and everything. I would say we were the premier members. We had putting competitions, we’d hit balls on the range. We’d actually dive in these lakes to catch golf balls. We didn’t want to buy them so we’d dive in and I think it’s funny when I look at it; I remember the fun that we had,” she said.
“I’ve mowed the fringes, I picked up the trash, and I worked in the pro shop. I have very nice memories and it’s good to be back.”
It has been more than five years since Sorenstam last teed up at Bro Balsta, and in that time she has played all over the world and dominated the women’s golf scene, most recently winning her tenth major championship at the US Women’s Open.
She is now an international sports icon and so highly is she regarded by her fellow Swedes that her giant sized poster greets tourists at Stockholm airport. With her intimate knowledge of the Bro Balsta Golf Course, she is going to be a fearsome opponent to beat this week.
Sorenstam knows every inch of the golf course, so much so that she has asked her caddy to relax. “I was out there today and my caddy was telling me where to aim and I said, ‘Hey, I’ve played here so many times I know where to aim!’” she joked. “I know the greens. They are really, really big. Even though I haven’t played here for five years I know where to hit!”
The Scandinavian TPC, hosted by Annika is one of the largest golf tournaments in Europe and has attracted many of the world’s top women players including the World no.2 Lorena Ochoa from Mexico, England’s Karen Stupples, Laura Davies and last week’s Weetabix Women’s British Open Champion Sherri Steinhauer from America.
Having won this event three times in the last five years, Annika will naturally be the star attraction. Yet Steinhauer, who won her third Women’s British Open last week, is experiencing a renaissance after teaming up with her coach of two years Hank Johnson.
“We’ve been making some changes in my swing and it has paid off tremendously,” said Steinhauer, who following last week’s victory moved up to 15th in the LPGA Tour’s Official ADT Money List.
“I have to say a couple of years ago I was definitely losing inspiration. I wasn’t getting anywhere. Since working with Hank I’ve definitely revived inspiration with the game and having more fun than ever.”
Like Ochoa, Steinhauer received an invitation from Annika to play in this week’s event and as a keen traveller, she grabbed the opportunity. She had been to Stockholm once before and played in the Ladies European Tour’s event at Barsebäck.
“I knew the tournament was close to Stockholm so it was an easy choice. I definitely wanted to come back as I had a great time the last time,” she said.
Steinhauer revealed that she was an invited guest of Sorenstam’s at a dinner for selected players last night; a move to suggest that the Swedish hostess is enjoying her role.
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