Gothenburg Golf Club/Göteborgs Golf Klubb, or as it’s known locally: ‘Hovås’ or ‘GGK’ dates back to 1891, and fully established in 1902, making it Sweden’s oldest. With ties to the Royal Swedish Golfing Society dating back to 1922, we take a closer look at one of Sweden’s premier golf courses and clubs, as well as our annual competition ‘Londonpokalen’.
‘Omtanke, kvalitet och tradition’ – thoughtfulness, quality, and tradition are key words at GGK. Their vision is to be ‘Sweden’s best members’ golf club’ – a club and meeting place where members, their guests, and partners want to meet, enjoy themselves and develop through the game of golf.
Anyone who has been to the club, would likely agree that they do in fact make this happen – on and around the course. If you haven’t visited in person, head over to their website and have a look at the live feed of the course to catch a glimpse of the beauty that this coastal course offers.
Back to our shared history:
Londonpokalen was established in 1922, ten years after the Golfing Society was founded in London. Many of the founding members had ties to GGK, including Ove Erickson and Detlof von Braun – the Society’s first president.
1922 marked the 10-year anniversary of the Society as well as the 20-year anniversary of GGK. The Society decided that a suitable joint celebration was in order, and donated the silver trophy known as Londonpokalen. The trophy has been played for on the last Sunday in August every year since. The exceptions being 1940-1945, during WW2, and in 1977, when the conditions of the course did not allow for any play.
Since 1922, and to the present day, Londonpokalen is played as a bogey competition over 36 holes. From the inaugural year, until 1948, the competition was open to both ladies and men. In 1948 it was won by Lilliot Mörner – a woman. This proved difficult for some of the men to handle, so since 1949, it is a men’s-only event.
In later years, perhaps because of this exclusion, the Society has gone on to donate three further trophies: The Queens Cup: ladies, 18 holes bogey competition, Lilla Londonpokalen: mixed juniors, 18 holes bogey competition, and finally the Old Boys Trophy: senior men’s 18 holes bogey competition.
The events are always played on the last Saturday and Sunday of August, with participants from GGK and RSGS. Mark your calendars!
For more information about joining – The Royal Swedish Golfing Society or playing in one of the competitions, please email secretary@rsgsgolf.com.
