Professional golfers from West Sweden
Meet some of West Sweden's most famous professional golfers and learn their special places that will make your West-Swedish heart beat a little faster.
Henrik Stenson
Hello... Henrik Stenson, born in Gothenburg,and Sweden’s first and only male major winner (The Open 2016), with 11 European tour wins, 6 PGA tour wins and an Olympic silver on his CV.
Photographer: Lars Pehrson
What is your connection to West Sweden?
- I was born in Gothenburg in 1976, and grew up in Ytterby. I started playing golf when I was eleven, and at 15 I moved to Barsebäck in Skåne.
Your favourite places in West Sweden?
- That would have to be Marstrand, central Gothenburg and Ullevi! Stadium!
What is your favourite restaurant in West Sweden?
- I love seafood, so there are lots of places in Gothenburg that can make me happy in that sense. But because I moved from Gothenburg when I was 15, I would still say Gullbringa Golf & Country Club’s restaurant. We downed a lot of bacon and eggs back in the day.
Which are your favourite golf courses in West Sweden?
- Gullbringa is my ’home course’ in the Gothenburg region, so of course I like that one. Then I also played a lot at Hovås Golf Club, it’s in a pretty setting close to the sea.
What is the best thing about West Sweden?
- The water! Sweden’s ’front’ has an amazing archipelago with saltwater swimming. Plus there’s the IFK Gothenburg football team, and the local sense of humour which I like of course!
Sophie Gustafson
Hello… Sophie Gustafson, Särö golfer with five LPGA tour wins and a huge 16 wins on the European tour, as well as eight-time participant in the Solheim Cup.
Photographer: Scott Halleran
What is your connection to West Sweden?
- I was born and grew up in Särö just south of Gothenburg. I lived in the US for 17 years but now I’m back.
Can you name a few special places that make your West-Swedish heart beat a little faster?
- I love Särö, I rarely leave our little village here. Marstrand is also nice, especially during the sailing week, but unfortunately I haven’t been there for 20-odd years.
What is your favourite restaurant in West Sweden?
- I like Blomstermåla out here in Särö. Långedrags Värdshus is also a favourite. Just like Blomstermåla, it’s by the sea and has excellent food.
Which are your favourite golf courses in West Sweden?
- If you want a course that’s always in good condition, I’d go for Kungsbacka GK. It’s fun, and with a good variation between holes. It’s a parkland course, with links and forest mixed in. Vallda is also a nice course. It’s links, which is fun to play, and the restaurant is first class. If you want something easier and fun, I’d recommend Särö’s short course. It’s fun and very easy to get out onto. There’s hardly ever a wait, and you can do 4, 5, 9, 18 or 54 holes. Very easy. I play 90 per cent of my golf there.
What is the best thing about West Sweden?
- The summer and the sea. There’s no better place when the weather’s cooperating. Taking the boat out to one of all the islands out here is a real luxury.
Catrin Nilsmark
Hello… Catrin Nilsmark, golfer who grew up in Lerum, with one LPGA tour win, two European tour wins and five-time player in the Solheim Cup (twice as captain).
What is your connection to West Sweden?
- I was born in Gothenburg and grew up in Lerum.
Can you name a few special places that make your West-Swedish heart beat a little faster?
- Lake Hornborga and the artist Göran Löfwing’s studio which is located nearby. I also like Marstrand and Nääs Castle and the area around it.
What is your favourite restaurant in West Sweden?
- Toso in Gothenburg.
Which are your favourite golf courses in West Sweden?
- Öijared, Hills and Hulta.
What is the best thing about West Sweden?
What I like best is the proximity to the sea, and all the beautiful forests.
Carin Hjalmarsson Koch
Hello… Carin Hjalmarsson Koch, golfer from Kungälv, with two LPGA tour wins, four-time Solheim Cup player with two wins, winning putt-maker for Europe in 2000 and vice-captain in 2013 and captain in 2015.
What is your connection to West Sweden?
- I was born and grew up in Kungälv, and I live in Mölndal in Gothenburg, right next to the golf course Hills.
Can you name a few special places that make your West-Swedish heart beat a little faster?
- I’d say Bohus Fortress, Liseberg Amusement Park and the archipelago.
What is your favourite restaurant in West Sweden?
- Toso at the top of the Avenue in Gothenburg.
Which are your favourite golf courses in West Sweden?
- Hills, Gullbringa and Hovås.
What is the best thing about West Sweden?
- There are tons of things, but I’d say the people, the coast and Gothenburg.
Mats Lanner
Hello... Mats Lanner, golfer from Gothenburg, who became the second Swede ever to win a European tour competition when he won the Epson GP 1987. Mats has won two other competitions on the tour, and decided the Dunhill Cup final at St. Andrews in 1991.
What is your connection to West Sweden?
- I was born and grew up on Hisingen in Gothenburg. These days I live in Mölnlycke, ten kilometres southwest of Gothenburg.
Can you name a few special places that make your West-Swedish heart beat a little faster?
- Since I started playing in the course that is adjacent to my parents’ summer place in Strömstad, I would have to say Strömstad. I also enjoy being out on Koster Island, and at Smögen.
What is your favourite restaurant in West Sweden?
- I’ll say Strömstad again – Skagerack by the waterfront.
Which are your favourite golf courses in West Sweden?
- I joined Albatross GK as a 15-year-old, so I’ll pick that one, Vallda GCC and Strömstad GK.
What is the best thing about West Sweden?
- Swimming in the salty water, and the smooth, sun-baked rocks by the coast are really special.
READ MORE: Golf in West Sweden
