The Road to Mallorca heads to Denmark this week for the Made in Esbjerg Challenge Presented by FREJA & TotalEnergies at Esbjerg Golfklub, and here is everything you need to know before play begins on Wednesday…
A Dane in fine form
Marcus Helligkilde will be back on home soil following his inspiring wire-to-wire triumph at the Vierumäki Finnish Challenge last week. The 24-year-old Dane climbed 22 positions into eighth place on the Road to Mallorca Rankings after his victory in Finland, having posted a season-low 23 under par total to secure his maiden European Challenge Tour title.
History and honours
Esbjerg Golfklub is rich in history - the third oldest course in Denmark was established in 1921 and is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. It is home to two different 18-hole golf courses, the Marbæk Course and the Myrtue Course. The Marbæk Course has built a reputation as one of the best golf courses in the country, and was named Denmark’s Best Golf Course at the World Golf Awards in 2019. The course was shortlisted for the award in 2020 and is once again on the list of nominees for 2021.
Backed by ‘The Great Dane’
Europe’s victorious 2018 Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjørn has a strong affiliation with Esbjerg Golfklub after backing the Thomas Bjørn Open presented by Multidata in 2005. Denmark’s most successful golfer also set the course record of 64 in 1995, which still stands to this day. The 50-year-old was also victorious in the Pro-Am today, winning the event before the first round tees off tomorrow.
Picturesque surroundings
Esbjerg Golfklub comprises of many challenges throughout a stunning landscape, which includes heather, hills, hollows, and fast greens. The experienced green keeping staff at Esbjerg Golfklub ensure that both courses are maintained to the highest of standards; In fact, Chief Greenkeeper Morten Terkelsen was named as “Greenkeeper of the Year” by the Danish Greenkeeper Association in 2019.
