The National (Lakes)

The Swedish PGA first floated the idea of a national golf centre in 1996 and it would take a decade of planning and preparation before construction began on an ambitious 45-hole complex within an estate that was formerly owned by the municipal authorities in Malmö.

Three years after work on site began in earnest, the official opening of the PGA Sweden National golf facility took place in June 2009 with only the 18 holes of the championship Links course available for play.

Twelve months later, lead shaper Peter Scott had completed the finishing touches on both the 18-hole Lakes course and a 9-hole par three layout, producing a very impressive collection of Kyle Philips-designed holes.

The number of bunkers on the Lakes course averages four per hole, the same as the Links course, but the traps on the Lakes occupy an area three times that of the other course so golfers can expect to use their sand wedge quite a bit if they stray off line here.

A lake forms the main feature at the closing holes on each nine. The 9th hole plays down one side of the water hazard and on the other side, the par three 17th requires a 170-yard carry to a narrow green, followed by a treacherous home hole that follows the lake from tee to green with water down the entire left hand side of the fairway.

Some might raise an eyebrow at such an overtly American design appearing in Scandinavia but the Swedish PGA certainly have no qualms about marketing the Lakes course as “a beautiful piece of Florida in the heart of Skåne”.

The Scandinavian Masters, was first played on the Lakes course in 2014, which resulted in a play-off win for Thongchai Jaidee, who denied Stephen Gallacher of his second tournament win of the year. The event returned the following year, with Stockholm's Alex Norén winning by four shots.