SM Match Play
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Varies in Sweden |
| Established | 1904 |
| Tour(s) | Nordic Golf League Swedish Golf Tour Challenge Tour (1990–99) |
| Format | Stroke & match play (2012–) Match play (1904–2011) |
| Prize fund | SEK 350,000 (men 2020) |
| Month played | July (men 2020) October (women 2020) |
| Current champion | |
 Martin Eriksson (men) Emma Svensson (women) | |
The Swedish Match Play Championship is a golf tournament played since 1904, held for both men and women. It is the oldest and most traditional golf tournament in Sweden.[1] The name SM is shortening in Swedish language for "Svenska Mästerskapet" (the Swedish Championship).
From the first tournament in 1904 (for men) and 1911 (for women) until 1983, it was an amateur tournament, from 1910 open only for Swedish citizens, and the winner was the official Swedish champion. Since 1984, except 1985, the tournament has been open to both amateurs and professionals and for foreign citizens.
If a foreigner wins, the best placed Swedish player becomes Swedish champion of the year.
The men's tournament is part of the Swedish Golf Tour since 1986 and the Nordic Golf League since 1999. It featured on the Challenge Tour between 1990 and 1999. The women's tournament is part of the women's Swedish Golf Tour since 1986.
From 1907 to 1966, the final in the men's tournament was played over 36 holes. In 1949 and in 1950, the men's tournament began with 36 holes stroke play, were the 8 best players qualified for the match play competition. From 1932 to 1983, the final in the women's tournament was played over 36 holes.[2]
In 2012 the format was again changed from pure match play to 36 hole stroke play followed by match play for the 32 best men and 16 best women respectively.[3]
In 2020, the men's and women's tournaments are, för the first time, played at different venues and at different dates.
The first tournament was held October 9-10, 1904, organized by Göteborgs Golfklubb (Gothenburg Golf Club) at the newly built 6 hole Hovås Course. Only players from the home club took part, despite there were two clubs in the country, one in Stockholm also.[4]
Most victories in the men's tournament is won by Elis Werkell, with 6 wins. Most victories in the women's tournament is won by Liv Wollin (née Forsell) with 9 wins.
Winners
Note: (a) - denotes participating as an amateur, noted only if tournament was open for professionals
References
- ^ Wille to defend SM Title, Swedish Golf Federation, 22 June 2015
- ^ Jansson, Anders (2004). Golf – Den stora sporten [Golf – The Great Sport] (in Swedish). Swedish Golf Federation. pp. 212–215, 218–220. ISBN 91-86818007.
- ^ SM Match Changes Format, Svensk Golf, 25 June 2012
- ^ Jansson, Anders (1979). Golf - Den gröna sporten [Golf - The green sport] (in Swedish). Swedish Golf Federation. pp. 14–24, 172–173, 193–194. ISBN 9172603283.
- ^ "Carlsson and Boasson Winners". Swedish Golf Tour (in Swedish). Retrieved 2 July 2017.