BLASTS FROM THE PAST
Torsten HanssonMental CoachView detailsTorsten Hansson speaking about Henrik
I met Henrik in 1994 when I worked with the Swedish National Team. A young ambitious individual with big dreams for the future. I remember well how Henrik excelled above the others. Not with his technique or physique but for his strong energy. He was what we often call a "bull-head" (stubborn).
I also remember that I, on many occasions, had to try and convince the National Team coaches that here we had a future player. They had other favorites and did not see Henrik's great strength - the desire to be the best. When Henrik then decided to turn pro, we continued to work together and did so for thirteen years. A great journey with big success the first few years. Then during the swing change that Henrik did we met adversity not only from the change itself, but mainly from the surroundings who very clearly expressed to both Henrik and me that he was on the wrong track. However, Henrik was strong enough to resist this negative energy and with his "pig-headedness" worked and worked out of the slump. After a low period things usually go up again and so did Henrik´s journey. Now he began a rise not seen in Swedish golf. Slowly but surely, he passed top 50 in the world and with it he was playing the big tournaments. When we chose to go our separate ways Henrik was the highest ranked Swedish golfer ever. He was now amongst the top ten players in the world. I am grateful to have been part of this journey. To get to follow a player from amateur to one of the best in the world is a privilege, a gratitude and joy that will follow me for the rest of my life.
Anders JanssonGolf CoachView detailsAnders Jansson speaking about Henrik
Little did I know that I got a diamond in the rough in one of my training groups in Barsebäck G & CC, where I was in charge of junior training. A cautious young kid showed up in the spring of 1990 and introduced himself, in his clear Gothenburg dialect, as Henrik Stenson and said he had just moved to southern Sweden with his family. I soon realized that there was something about this guy. He did not only want to practice golf, he was a determined young man who had the ambition to become a first-class golfer. With a tremendous desire to be the best, he worked really hard to improve all aspects of his golf game. His stubbornness and his winning attitude was very helpful and he had initially decided not to leave anything to chance, through training and re-training, he worked his way to becoming the great golfer he is today. In conclusion I would say that Henrik Stenson has just about everything needed for him to stand as victor in one of the four really big tournaments.
Hasse Bergdahl Golf CoachView detailsHasse Bergdahl speaking about Henrik
In the autumn of 1995 when Anders Jansson "submitted" Henrik (and Jesper Björklund) and entrusted me to continue working as Henrik's golf coach following Anders' move to Norway, I realized pretty soon that this Stenson guy was not like the other "talents" I had trained over the years. There was a glow in his eyes and a genuine interest in wanting to get better and learn more. With a player like that the coach must also evolve and it meant, among other things, that I was looking for the opportunity to work with video from a studio with the analysis program of those days, which taught me more about cause and effect in the golf swing. Henrik had during our years together a precise idea of playing with a slight fade as basic shot (just like Jack Nicklaus in his heyday) and since Jack Nicklaus was my greatest role model as a player, it was natural to pass on what I knew about Nicklaus into Henrik's training to some extent. Another thing that impressed me was Henrik's clear goal and how he followed the agreed plan. It was a great enjoyment to be with him in England when he won his first ET victory at The Belfry in May 2001. I not only have had the privilege to have one of the biggest players of all times as a student but also gained a friend for life whom I always appreciate meeting when the opportunity arises.
