(ORLANDO, Fla.) – The ANNIKA Foundation – golf Hall-of-Famer Annika Sorenstam’s charitable organization – and the Swedish Golf Federation today announced that the 2021 ANNIKA Invitational Europe will only be open to competitors who currently reside in Sweden.
The change to a domestic-only format is due to government-mandated health and safety protocols that currently restricts entry into Sweden by international competitors. In addition, the protocols currently strongly advise against arranging tournaments except for professional events for seniors.
At this time, plans still call for the ANNIKA Invitational Europe to be held at Isaberg Golf Club in Hestra from June 13-17. Eligibility requirements for Swedish competitors will remain unchanged. The ANNIKA Cup, which has traditionally involved only Swedish players, will still be held as well.
“While it’s unfortunate we won’t be able to welcome international competitors to Sweden for the 2021 edition of the ANNIKA Invitational Europe, our main priority is complying with all applicable regulations to ensure the safety of our competitors, their families, club members and tournament volunteers and staff,” says Daniel Rosendahl, Swedish Golf Federation. “We are continuing to closely monitor the situation and will provide further updates as any new information becomes available.”
First played in 2011, the ANNIKA Invitational Europe is one of the biggest girls’ championships on the continent. In addition to the ANNIKA Invitational Europe, the ANNIKA Foundation hosts other girls-only invitational tournaments like the ANNIKA Invitational USA presented by Rolex, ANNIKA Invitational Mission Hills (China), ANNIKA Invitational Australasia (New Zealand) and the Women’s Amateur Latin America Championship presented by The R&A and ANNIKA Foundation (Argentina). At the college level, it hosts the ANNIKA Intercollegiate presented by 3M every year in Minnesota, USA.
Find the full field list here.
Since the inaugural Foundation tournament – the 2009 ANNIKA Invitational USA – 60 ANNIKA event alumnae have earned LPGA cards. Thirty-seven alumnae competed in the 2021 ANA Inspiration including the winner, Patty Tavatanakit.