“I’m Proof There Is Hope With Regards To Companies And Their Interest In Women’s Golf”

Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam is the winner of a record eight Player of the Year awards, and recipient of six Vare Trophies given to the LPGA player with the lowest seasonal scoring average. She is the only female golfer to shoot a 59 in competition. iSportConnect’s Taruka Srivastav spoke with her to find out about her latest role as President of the International Golf Federation.

Annika you are a legendary golfer yourself. Women’s golf is continuing to grow, what are you seeing in that regard at the grassroots level, is it translating across? What more can be done? 

The women’s game is in a wonderful place globally. The LPGA is as good as it has been in terms of a global presence and junior and collegiate events are thriving around the world. Our ANNIKA Foundation has seven global events for junior girls that sees 600+ girls from 50 plus countries compete each year. It’s been fun to see the girls progress.

Tell us about your new role.

I was fortunate to be appointed President of the International Golf Federation (IGF) by their Board in late 2020. I represent the IGF and facilitating effective communication and relationships with IGF Member Federations, IOC, IPC, ASOIF, GAISF, sponsors and other internal and external stakeholders.

I will continue to be an advocate for the development and growth of golf worldwide and will attend the golf in the Olympic Games, Youth Olympic Games, World Amateur Team Championships, IOC Session and other official functions performing customary duties of office.

After the success of 2016, how can this year’s Olympic Games continue to provide a springboard for golf? 

I think that golf did very well in the last Olympics and look for much of the same this year. It will get a lot of attention in Japan as they love golf in that country. With Hideki Matsuyama becoming the first Japanese male to win a Major Championship, they will be primed for a great event. In general, the Olympics helps grow the game globally, because governments fund the training and development of Olympic sports.

How can the IGF continue to help grow golf as we move forwards? 

The IGF manages the relationships with all the Federations, sponsors and stakeholders around the globe. This is where they can make a difference. They are the main body coordinating communication across the board when it comes to golf around the world, which includes growing the game.

How is the organisation tackling Covid-19 challenges? 

The IOC is in charge of managing Covid and all of the regulations, but the IGF has a lot of input due to the PGA TOUR and how well they handled coming back this year. They were the first sport to play again and to have fans.

Has the interest in women golf tournaments gone up? Is enough being done to ensure the same? 

Yes, there is a lot of interest in women’s golf globally.  We even have a tournament in Sweden that I am hosting with Henrik Stenson called the Scandi Mixed that has 78 men from the European Tour playing alongside 78 women from the Ladies European Tour competing for the same prize, just from different tees. That is fantastic for the game.

Are brands interested in associating with women golfers?  

Yes. Just look at the players on the LPGA tour and how many sponsors they have on their clothing and bags. It’s impressive. I stopped playing in 2008 and still have eight sponsors, so I’m proof there is hope with regards to companies and their interest in women’s golf.