Bård Skogen

First Summer as a Professional

1 August 2024 Bård walking down the hillside on the golf course

This summer marked the beginning of Bård’s professional golf career, and it has already been filled with promising achievements. His debut at Laholm Golf Club was nothing short of impressive, as he secured a fantastic shared 4th place finish. Bård’s consistent play led him to a final score of -11, with rounds of +1, -8, and -4. This strong start in the professional arena was a testament to his skill and determination. Much credit also goes to his host and caddie, Thor Gunnar Bjelland, coach Niklas Diethelm, and the rest of his support team and sponsors.

In the midst of his professional debut, Bård also made time to contribute to his home club, Haugaland Golfklubb, during the Lag-NM (Team Norwegian Championship) at Stavanger Golf Club. For the first time in the club’s history, the team managed to retain their spot in the elite division, holding off four other teams. Bård played a crucial role in this success, delivering the lowest score of the tournament with a stunning 66 in Sunday’s stroke play. This performance was yet another highlight in what is shaping up to be a successful start to his professional career.

As Bård continued to compete in the Nordic League at Holtsmark, weather conditions brought some challenges. Despite delays caused by lightning and thunderstorms, Bård remained focused, eventually securing another solid 4th place finish. Although the final round was canceled due to heavy rain, his consistent performances have set a strong foundation for his career going forward. Alongside his on-course achievements, Bård was also recognized for his academic excellence at Texas Tech, further showcasing his dedication both on and off the course.

Following his summer competitions, Bård spent nearly a month in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, where he has been rigorously preparing for the upcoming fall qualifiers. With access to top-notch training facilities and strong practice partners, Bård is honing his skills in anticipation of a busy September, which will see him competing in both European and U.S. qualifiers.

This summer has been a significant period for Bård, filled with impressive performances and valuable experiences that mark a strong beginning to his professional golf career. As he looks ahead to the challenges of qualifying for the DP World Tour and other competitions, Bård’s early success hints at a bright future in the world of professional golf.