The first two editions of Scandinavian Mixed were held in Vallda and Halmstad respectively.
Next year, it will be Ullna golf club north of Stockholm, which from 8–11 June will be able to organize the competition, the only one on the European tours where the starting field consists of both ladies and gents.
“Unique” track
— The track at Ullna is absolutely fantastic. Unique. It is also close to the city, so we can create a great audience experience. It’s tight, so tickets will be limited to create a sense of community. Then you get a good atmosphere during the competition, says Claes Nilsson, CEO of We Do Sports, the company behind Scandinavian Mixed, to Svensk Golf.
He also confirms that Annika Sörenstam and Henrik Stenson will continue to be the faces of the competition. That doesn’t change criticism of the latter’s choice to move to the cash-strapped LIV tour, which is funded by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.
Elevating others
However, they will use more players in the marketing, for example Linn Grant, who last year won the competition in superior style, nine strokes ahead of Henrik Stenson and Marc Warren.
— Henrik is warmly welcome to play. He is hosting the competition and he has confirmed that he will play. That’s where we are. But we will highlight some other players also in the marketing, such as Linn and others. Not just Henrik and Annika as we did before, says Claes Nilsson.
After the move to the LIV tour, the Swedish Golf Association, among others, has chosen to end its collaboration with Stenson. However, the decision should not be seen as criticism of Stenson as a person, the union has emphasized. The justification is instead that the LIV tour’s structure, where players receive invitations instead of qualifying, “is negative for the development of the sport, both in Sweden and internationally”.