Annika Sorenstam, one of the all-time greats of world golf, and Europe’s greatest ever ambassadress of the ladies game, has been awarded The PGAs of Europe’s most prestigious annual award, The Christer Lindberg Bowl, for her unrivalled global contribution to the sport.
The glittering cut-glass trophy was presented to her during a nostalgic night of celebration in Vasteras, staged to follow immediately after the Scandinavian TPC presented by Annika, her final Ladies European Tour event in Sweden before her retirement from competitive golf at the end of the season.
A gathering organised by the PGA of Sweden, the Swedish Golf Federation and IMG for her ‘closest colleagues and friends to honour Annika’ saw her receive the trophy that commemorates the dedication of the late Christer Lindberg, a Swedish visionary who was one of the driving forces behind his nation’s golf boom over the last 25 years and the formation of The PGAs of Europe.
The ceremony was staged by Mikael Sorling (director) and Ian Randell (chief executive) on behalf of The PGAs of Europe, and her name joins the roll of honour, which includes such luminaries as John Jacobs, Neil Coles, Sir Michael Bonallack, Peter Alliss, Ken Schofield, Jaime Ortiz-Patià±o and one other female, Emma Villacieros.
The citation to one of the greatest sporting personalities in Sweden’s history said of her, “Very few sporting icons reach the status by which they are known by their christian name alone but this is indeed the case with Annika; 8 Solheim Cup appearances, 10 major championships, 88 career wins, 72 on the LPGA Tour, 8 Rolex Player of the Year Awards, a place in the World Golf Hall of Fame, her dominance of the ladies game is unparalleled and if there has been any honour to be won over the course of her career, you name it, she’s won it.
“Having worked for Christer at the PGA of Sweden’s office for eighteen months before beginning her journey to the top of the professional game it is so fitting that Annika, who has done so much to elevate Swedish golf, European golf and, of course, women’s golf, should be the recipient of this award in 2008.”
After the ceremony she commented, “It was a tremendous honour to receive the Christer Lindberg Bowl. Christer was a great man and just happened to be my first boss. He was full of life and a wonderful ambassador for the game of golf.”
As her playing career heads for its conclusion her off-the-course businesses include the ANNIKA Academy, the ANNIKA Collection with Cutter & Buck, ANNIKA Financial Group, numerous golf course design projects around the world, hosting a tournament on the Ladies European Tour, the Annika Foundation, along with her website and blog and has recently been named a USGA Ambassador.
Annika Sorenstam www.annikasorenstam.com
The PGAs of Europe www.pgae.com