Bro Hof Slott (Stadium)

Did you know ten Swedish players competed for Europe in the Ryder Cup? That's seven more than Italy, the event host two years ago, and six more than France, where Europe defeated the USA in 2018.

Spain has had 12 players and was granted the honour of hosting in 1997 as a thank-you for its contribution to one of sport's most iconic matches.

So, isn't it about time the event came to Sweden—and where else but Bro Hof Slott?

This is a venue that was made for big-time golf.

It's just 35 minutes from central Stockholm and has excellent transport links and plenty of accommodation.

But, much more importantly, the Stadium course was designed for drama and is set over such a vast area of land that huge crowds would not be a problem.

And I can't think of a better place than its magnificent castle for the celebrations of another European victory!

The entrance to Bro Hof Slott gives an immediate impression of grandeur. After weaving past 19th-century outbuildings, the drive leads to imposing gates framed by two columns.

They open to reveal the Baroque-style castle, which today serves as the clubhouse and restaurant.

We had lunch on its wonderful balcony before heading to the impressive driving range and putting green.

Bro Hof Slott also has an 18-hole putting course, spanning 12,000 square metres, where championships are held.

I digress.

The opening hole at the Stadium course is a par-five, hinting at the obstacles to come with its signature Trent Jones huge white bunkers and a raised green with a steep run-off.

My moment of glory came early, on the short dogleg par-four third, where I managed to curl a drive between the sand trap on the left and the forest on the right.

My pitch landed just six feet from the flag, and I nestled the birdie putt into the back of the hole.

The Stadium has a reputation as a 'beast of a course' because almost everything is exaggerated.

Its fairways are often very wide, its greens are enormous, its bunkers are massive, and the waters of Lake Mälaren stretch as far as the eye can see.

I appreciated the nod to tradition with several Swilcan-style bridges, which evoke memories of St Andrews.

One of these crosses a stream on the long par-four fifth, stroke index two, a hole that demands accuracy to avoid the water and precision to find a swirling green with treacherous run-offs.

The par-three seventh hints at the drama that unfolds later—a par-three over a vast expanse of water to a green surrounded by white sand bunkers.

I would venture that the dogleg par-five ninth is the first of Bro Hof Slott's stunning holes.

Players must decide how much of the lake they dare to clear on the left, with bunkers and trees on the opposite side of the fairway to discourage a bailout.

The fairway then snakes between water on either side before reaching a wildly undulating green, with rocks on the right and deep sand on the left.

The Brits were hanging on in our match against the Swedes until a full-scale meltdown on the par-five 13th.

This gorgeous hole is cut around a lake to the right with out-of-bounds on the left from the tee.

We both successfully placed our drives and kept our follow-ups dry, but my playing partner smacked two consecutive shots into the water, and I picked the wrong club for my approach, which also ended up in the drink. I would love to play it again.

The final four holes at Bro Hof Slott are made for top professional competition, and I can attest that games can be lost here.

The 15th is a mesmerising par-five which demands a drive over water to a narrow fairway with sand on the other side.

The course then turns left to a perched peninsula green that might be reachable in two for professionals or three for us mere mortals.

However, I can testify that a slightly wayward shot will see your ball in with the fishes; my errant strike here cost the British our match.

Water threatens again on the par-three 16th, cutting in from the right of a sloping green.

With the pressure of our match released, I could tackle the famous final two holes with freedom.

The 17th is a short but spellbinding island hole with a fiendish green that runs from front to back.

My partner and one of our Swedish friends saw their balls fail to make the green, but two of us found land and had potential birdie putts, which were just missed.

The spectator stand for that hole would also take in the short par-four 18th, a tremendous climax with water all along the right-hand side.

I had the chance to finish with a birdie, but sadly came up short. Nevertheless, I could imagine the glory of completing it in style, just as I hope the Europeans do there one day against the USA.