NEW COACH MATTSSON ARRIVES IN WOODHALL SPA
The English Golf Union has entered a new era now that Peter
Mattsson has taken up the role as its Director of Coaching.
The successful Swedish coach watched England just miss out
on retaining the Home Internationals at Royal St George’s
before arriving at National Headquarters in Woodhall Spa to
take charge of England’s future development.
“I’m excited about this job,” said the
35 year old former head coach of the Swedish Golf Federation.
“I’m inspired by the chance to work in a country
where there is so much talent and knowledge of the game.”
Peter Mattsson takes over at the top of men’s amateur
golf in England having achieved so much with the Swedish Federation.
Born in Hofors 35 years ago but having spent most of his life
in Stockholm, Mattsson played amateur golf but turned professional
in 1990 and played mostly in his native country.
During four years at college (1991-94), he studied Physical
Education with golf as a special sport. “I wanted to
do something combined with playing but I became more and more
interested in coaching,” he added.
When he left college in 1994 he was asked to work with the
Swedish coaching school in Spain, staying for two years. Returning
to Sweden in 1996, he took over the coaching of the Swedish
Boys team with immediate success. His side reached the final
of the European Boys Team Championships in Austria after beating
an England side containing Justin Rose in the semi-finals.
However, Sweden lost to Spain in the final.
A year later the young Swedes took the bronze medal in Slovenia
and in 1998 his side was beaten by Wales in the final of the
European Youths Team Championships in Belgium.
During this spell, Mattsson was appointed head coach to the
Swedish Federation, a role that made him fully responsible
for all the national teams, men and women, as well as the
development of amateurs and professionals. Among the top Swedish
players he has worked with were Carl Pettersson, Niclas Fasth,
Fredrik Jacobson, Annika Sorenstam and Carin Koch.
There have been further successes for Swedish players in
recent times, a statistic England hope will carry over to
these shores.
It is a new challenge for Mattsson who has moved to Woodhall
Spa with his wife Maria and young family, Filip (3) and Elina
(1), says: “I don’t think anyone expected me to
leave the Swedish Federation but it is good to make changes
every now and then. I am challenging myself in a new environment
but England is a very interesting country with its golfing
traditions and performance. We will continue with the full
programme of overseas tournaments and I’ll be working
closely with and supporting the coaching staff.”
So what will happen if England meets Sweden in any major
competition? “I shall keep a professional view but my
loyalty will be with my employer,” he says emphatically.
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