Lasse Eriksen was a professional football player in the eighties. The ex-defender played golf also, so when he saw the mixture of these two games, his future was decided. Now, he is in charge of the international affairs of the Norway FootGolf Association and also a member of the Board of Directors of the Federation for International FootGolf. He promises, the Norwegian national team will be a strong one in the World Cup.

Lasse recognised FootGolf as a promising newborn sport less than five years ago. “A few people played a game similar to FootGolf in camp grounds and parks in Germany and in Denmark, where I saw it. We joined the rest of the world in the spring of 2013, when we started to play in golf courses in Norway and with the help and support of people from the existing country organizations, especially Hungary and Argentina, we started generating some success. By the end of that year we had two courses to play FootGolf and last year we added seventeen more. Today, we have nineteen courses, and one of them is dedicated for FootGolf only.”

Norway has two hundred golf courses, which is not as much as for example Sweden has, but there are no place to play FootGolf yet so, other than continue promoting the sport in our country, we hope we can contribute to expand it in the region.

He added, “Other than kids and youth, It is really nice to see adult and senior people playing FootGolf, as well. Our sport is fantastic, it can be played by anyone. What I really like about in this sport is that you can have a plan for the game, even if you can not kick the ball far away.”

Lasse Eriksen believes, the ex-professionals can promote the game, but the most important thing is to have FootGolfers on the courses, not only for tournaments but, everyday, if possible. “One of the best chess players is Magnus Carlsen, who loved to play FootGolf, when had free time. It helps us, but we need players to the events.”

Norway is going to hold a stage of the European Footgolf Trophy Tour 2015 at the end of May, “This tour unites the FIFG members much more and not just Europeans, because players from all the world can join us, as we saw last time, when Mark Woodward from the United States won the first stage in Marbella, Spain.”

Norway needs more golf players on it’s courses as any other country all around the world and since FootGolf is a great sport to invite the entire family, “Our slogan is: grandpa plays golf, while grandson plays FootGolf”. We have been working on building relationship with many schools and businesses around the country, they are now buying  time to be on the courses for their PE classes, and we are getting requests for business events also.”

The Norwegian association focuses on growing the base as a player, hoping to average a hundred players on their tournaments. “This season is more important than the last one was, because our championship is qualifying for the next World Cup. We will come up with a quite strong team, wait and see.”

Golf Australia (GA), Football Federation Australia (FFA) and FootGolf Australia have signed a landmark memorandum of understanding to work together to promote FootGolf – a sport that could revolutionise the use of golfing real estate around the country.

Golf and football have joined forces around one of Australia’s most rapidly developing sports. GA’s golf development director Cameron Wade says the innovative game perfectly matches the plan of all three sports to boost participation and increase activity among Australians.

“Golf Australia recognises the importance of developing and supporting innovative formats of the game that connect with potential future golfers,” Wade said. “FootGolf also provides a tremendous opportunity for golf facilities to diversify their revenue streams and to connect with new market segments that help participation. Even better, it’s a great way for golf to open its doors and provide an opportunity for new sports participants to enjoy the stunning surroundings of a golf course.”

FFA national participation manager Salv Carmusciano says, the partnership between the bodies demonstrates how sports can work together to get more Australians active and healthy.
“FFA is proud to enter into a unique partnership with both Golf Australia and FootGolf Australia for the benefit of community members. FootGolf is another way, how Australians can enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle”.
FootGolf Australia's director Christian Wainmayer is delighted with the trust and support of GA and FFA. "The public response seen at the three golf courses currently offering footgolf (Wembley Golf Course in Perth, Cardinia Beaconhills in Melbourne and Colonial Golf Course in Sydney) has been very positive,” Wainmayer said. “2015 awaits with the launch of FootGolf at Teven Valley Golf Course on the New South Wales North Coast and we hope more golf courses across Australia become affiliated in this year to achieve the national coverage, the sport needs. We will be working with GA and FFA on a number of initiatives across both social and competitive levels aimed at increasing participation and engagement levels. FootGolf gives Australians another great excuse for being out and fit while having fun … and where better than at a golf course?" he said.

We asked the president of Footgolf France, Romuald Pretot about this year’s plans. More than one year ago there were no place to play the game, now they are going to host one of the stages of the European Footgolf Trophy Tour in May. Additionally, now it is more than rumours that Robert Pires and Ludovic Giuly can be ambassadors of footgolf.

What are the plans for this year?
Last year we have introduced Footgolf Cup in towns where are professional football clubs. We had this year’s first round two weeks ago, and the next one is going to held this weekend. After twelve stages it ends in October. On the mornings there are the competitions for individuals, and after that we have the team event. The best three individuals and teams qualify for the final, which will be on 10th October.

How many players go to these events?
We have between 50 and 100 footgolfers on every occasion. It can be more, when people come to us from abroad.

Can we say, these numbers are growing?
Of course. First of all we have to develop every part of the game, and we spend a lot of time working on it. At the beginning of last year there were no courses to play footgolf. Now, we have 15 courses, where you can play footgolf regularly, and we have 22 courses to play occasionally.

Are you preparing to host one of the stages of the European Footgolf Trophy Tour?
We are negotiating with one very famous golf course. In a few days I can tell which one is it. It’s a very nice place, and at the end of May there will be a lot of famous sportsmen.

A few retired professional football stars tried the sport in your country. Have you got new ones?
Jean-Pierre Papin, Sylvain Wiltord and the brazilian Valdo are ambassadors to develop the sport. We are negotiating right now with Robert Pires and Ludovic Giuly. In 2014 we had around 60 retired or active football players in the Footgolf Cup. We are trying to invite famous persons to every event. For example the next one will be Valentin Porte, the world champion handball player.

Why him, and not a football player?
It is important to say, footgolf is not for football players only. Everyone is welcomed. We want our footgolf courses to be opened for everybody who loves sport to have a good time. We had persons from judo, rugby and athletics also.

The next World Cup is coming soon. How do you prepare for this event?
Since we have our national tour, we are searching for the best players. We have fifteen footgolfers, who are part of the French team. Three of them played in Ligue One before. We are getting better and better, and it will be exciting to select the team, which will represent our country in the next World Cup in Argentina.

Four countries sent their intention to the FIFG to organize the next World Cup. Argentina, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. Each had to submit their complete bid to the international federation by the 15th of March. There was only one nation, who submitted their complete application. They will host the next World Cup.

Argentina was the only country, who sent their bid to the FIFG by the deadline. In that case there will be no voting for the hosting country.  The FIFG announced: the World Cup goes to Argentina.

Laura Balestrini, the president of the American FootGolf League (AFGL) and Vice President of the Federation for International FootGolf, commented: “The US and the UK will support the World Cup being in Argentina.  We feel, the natural evolution of the sport merits Argentina being the next host of the World Cup. They presented a strong application showing the capability of covering all aspects required to host the next World Cup.”

Details are coming soon.

This year’s Footgolf Hungarian Championship is starting this weekend on the country’s national holiday. After eight stages we will know the winners of the categories and the team, which will represent Hungary in the World Cup.

Because of the next World Cup is coming soon, Hungary decided, their national championship is the best way to select the best players to represent them in the biggest occasion at the end of this year or in 2016 (depends on, who will host the WC).

Every nation has ten places to register for the tournament, and because Béla Lengyel won the first World Cup in 2012, he has secured his place in the WC automatically.

The medalist of the men’s competition, the winner of the senior category, and the best five players on the ranking list has the chance to go to World Cup, and a team leader is chosen also. If someone can not go to the cup, the next footgolfer on the list get the quota. So with these players and Lengyel, Hungary has eleven places for the World Cup.