Robert Karlsson, the former European Tour Number One, has said he is “very, very proud” to host a European Challenge Tour tournament at his home course this week.
The 11-time European Tour winner grew up an hour outside of Stockholm in the small town of Katrineholm, where he learned the game of golf at Katrineholms GK under the watchful eye of his father – the club’s head green keeper.
During a successful career spanning 27 years, during which he played in two Ryder Cup teams and was part of Ian Woosnam’s winning side in Ireland in 2006, he has become one of Sweden’s greatest golfers.
But for the 46 year old, known as The Scientist due to his analytical style of play, holding a Challenge Tour competition in his hometown will rank as one of his most satisfying career moments.
“I am very, very proud that we are playing at my home club,” he said. “My Dad was the head green keeper here and I was very lucky growing up.
“When I was a boy they decided that they needed to redesign the fifth hole and my Dad managed to keep the green, so I had my own personal green where I could practise chipping and putting.
“I do not think that anyone at the club thought it would have ever been possible to have a Challenge Tour tournament here. We held a tournament here for the Nordea League over the last five years but to bring it up to the next level is such a big difference. Everyone at the club has done a fantastic job.
“I hope my Dad will come out and watch – he is not at the club anymore as he has retired – but he was here to start the Pro-Am yesterday and it will be good to see him walking around.
“I am a little bit nervous. I have had three weeks off having some treatment on an elbow injury so this is a good place to start playing again. I am here mainly as a host, but when that tee peg goes in that first tee I want to play really good.”
Karlsson, who will be competing against compatriots such as three-time European Tour winner Johan Edfors and 2016 Road to Oman champions Sebastian Soderberg, Simon Forsstrom and Alexander Björk, believes the wealth of Swedish talent on show this week will inspire his country’s next generation.
“This week is hugely important as it lays the foundations for younger guys to come along,” he said. “For young kids to see another good event in Sweden is very significant.
“I remember when I grew up and we had some good events here at national level and I remember walking around and thinking ‘I want to be like those guys’. So it is very exciting.”
