There cannot be many golfers around whose careers began in the dingy basement of a McDonald’s burger bar, but then Jarmo Sandelin has never been one of the game’s most conventional individuals.
It was back in 1977 that Sandelin and his cousin visited the famous hamburger chain in Stockholm, which for some strange reason housed a miniature golf course. He shot 69 at his first attempt and, in that moment, a lifetime fascination with golf was born.
Time after time, Sandelin returned to McDonald’s in a single-minded desire to master the game before graduating to a miniature golf club, where he would practise for so long that his mother once called the police to search for her ‘missing’ son! Before long, golf consumed his entire being.
This small anecdote sums up everything you need to know about Jarmo Sandelin. His singular drive, determination and obduracy enabled him to rise to the upper echelons of the game and the ultimate status of Ryder Cup player, 22 years after his initial experience with miniature golf and a Big Mac.
It goes a long way to explaining why Sandelin is so passionate about his most recent project, the Jarmo Foundation, which is the Swede’s way of putting something back into the game which has shaped his life.
A few weeks ago, Sandelin hosted the second PAF (Play Among Friends) Charity Golf Day at Stockholms Golfklubb and raised the magnificent sum of €110,000 – the same total he reached for a first Pro-Am venture at Arlanda Golf Club two years earlier.
“If I hadn’t played miniature golf, I would probably have spent my time at a youth club throwing stones at people” he said. Fortunately, he chose golf as the vehicle to channel all his youthful energies and today’s youth will benefit considerably from his all-consuming passion.
He said: “One of the purposes of the Foundation is to provide financial support for socially vulnerable children and young people who might have demonstrated sporting talent and inclination, but lack the economic resources to develop this.
“I didn’t have much when I started out and I can empathise with those who are in the same position I was in 30 years ago. The motto of my Foundation is: ‘For those with an inner drive to fight hard to reach their full potential, regardless of what that might be, there is always a way to success. But there are also always exceptions, where society and private organisations have to step in to aid with help and support’.
“The Foundation is not confined to golf or even sport in general,” he continued. “I want to help youngsters who have the talent in any field, whether it’s music, the theatre or some other form of culture. We are also helping kids who are seriously ill and have a wish to fulfil – either to travel somewhere exotic or meet someone famous before it is too late. We have also contributed to a project to curb bullying in schools. The money from the Foundation will help create an infrastructure to achieve this.”
To that end, Sandelin roped in a few of his famous friends such as actor Hugh Grant to lend a hand at Stockholms Golfklubb, where the Pro-Am and charity auction raised €110,000, of which €10,000 is being donated by Sandelin to the charitable foundation of the European Tour, The Tour Players’ Foundation.
He added: “Thanks to The European Tour we were able to auction a 2010 Ryder Cup VIP Hospitality Package, while we had VIP tickets and hotel for an Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid football match in La Liga. I also auctioned my house at Vale de Lobo in Portugal for one week for eight people with all green fees paid and raised €17,000 from that one item alone.”
Praise came from David Park, The European Tour’s Charity Executive, who said: “Jarmo has done so much for charity during his career and we are delighted that he has chosen to support the Tour Players’ Foundation with this donation.”
On the charity night itself, Sandelin presented two cheques of €15,000 each, one to the organisation, Friends, which was started in 1997 to help schools set up a plan of action against bullying, and the Minstoradag Foundation, which assists the seriously ill children to realise their pipe-dreams.
Sandelin beams with pleasure as he discusses a subject which clearly consumes him. He laughed: “Since 2007 this has been my business and my pleasure. There is so much more that we can do, and will do, in the future. I’ve been lucky and I feel humble and proud that I have an opportunity through my golfing career that I can help others less fortunate.”
