Falsterbo - a classic links
The present 18 hole course was inaugurated in 1930.
Falsterbo is a classic example of the original Scottish golfing terrain - links. Sand dunes with sparse vegetation intervenes with lower lying areas where under decades a natural and fine turf has come forth. The natural water hazards, many large sand bunkers as well as depressions and the fast running greens are some of the characteristics of the course, which has for many years constantly been ranked among Sweden's top-3 courses.
The course is situated in scenic surroundings in a nature reserve area at the tip of Sweden's south west peninsula, where the Öresund and the Baltic Sea meet. Bird migration attracts thousands of bird watchers, especially in the autumn.
The club was founded in 1909 and will in 2009 celebrate its centenary! The two first years of play took place on a course east of Falsterbo. In 1911 a 9-hole course designed by Copenhagen GC's professional Robert Turnbull was laid out on the present area around the lighthouse, which has become a characteristic feature of Falsterbo Golf Club. The club house dates back to 1914.
In 1930 the course was re-designed and expanded to 18 holes under the direction of Gunnar Bauer. At the same time cattle and horses were banished from the area! Since then the lay-out of the course has remained more or less unchanged.
During 1995-2001 all of the greens and their surrounding areas have been rebuilt to ensure that the course can present the expected challenge even for top players. The architects were Peter Nordwall and Peter Chamberlain, the latter a former head pro at the club for many years.
Many national and international championships have been held at Falsterbo Golf Club. The first one was the Swedish Open Championship in 1912. The European Team Championship for Men was played in 1963 and won by England with Michael Bonallack as playing captain.
In 1971 Falsterbo arranged its first competition for professionals, the Volvo Open, and in 1983 the first PLM Open was played at Falsterbo.
When Falsterbo celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1984 Sweden played Scotland. A young Colin Montgomerie played for Scotland and Fredrik Lindgren, who became Falsterbo's first European Tour player, was a member of the Swedish team.
In 1986 Falsterbo hosted the PLM Open, now a European Tour event attracting many well-known players as well as spectators. Peter Senior won.
In 2003 - after the rebuilding of all its greens - Falsterbo reentered the international scene by hosting a tournament on the Challenge Tour.
The latest major event was the European Team Championships for Amatuer Ladies in 2009 when we celebrated the club's centenary. The course was in an excellent condition and the young Swedish player Caroline Hedwall won by 10 shots to the runner up, Kylie Walker from Scotland.
2009-11-05 Heléne von Matérn
