Suzann Pettersen has always been a self-confessed workaholic when it comes to golf. As one of the game's most decorated professionals and a two-time European Solheim Cup captain, her standards have always been famously high. When I sat down to chat with her recently, it was clear that she is now channelling that trademark drive into new ventures, including her role as the global ambassador for The Alto Club Golf Academy at Sotogrande.
Located within the five-star SO/ Sotogrande Spa & Golf Resort, The Alto Club (formerly Almenara) underwent a rebranding last September. At its heart is a state-of-the-art Golf Academy, a facility that, for Pettersen, represents the culmination of a career-long search for the perfect practice ground.
"I’ve spent numerous days, weeks, and months practicing at different facilities across the Costa del Sol while growing up," Pettersen explains, reflecting on the years she has spent at her home in Spain. "But I never really found my favourite spot, the ultimate one. I’ve always had a dream of building a good academy, so when the opportunity at The Alto Club came up, it felt like a perfect match."
Pettersen’s goal for the Academy is to provide a world-class experience without the intimidation factor. She wants players to arrive and expect the best, from the latest high-tech equipment to the industry's leading technology, but it was vital to her that the environment felt welcoming.
While she is passionate about the next generation, the facility is designed for all levels, catering to golfers who each arrive with their own ambitions for their game. It is a vision increasingly shaped by a mum’s eye perspective, ensuring the facility feels like a second home for the community rather than just a training ground.
"I look at it now as a golfer who still wants to improve, but also as a parent," she says. "Kids are the future. I want the academy to be the place where they hang out, jump on their bikes from the International School next door, and find friends. I was never driven by what my friends were doing, so it’s hard for me to relate personally, but I can see it now through our friends' children. That social aspect is what actually brings people into the game."
When the subject of golf’s modern appeal and how it stacks up against other sports comes up, Pettersen lets out a genuine laugh. "I don’t think I succeed too well with my own kids!" But she is refreshingly relaxed about the competition for their attention.
"As much as I’d love them to play golf, my son is deep into BMX and free skiing, and my daughter is still a little bit too young. You never know what activity is going to catch their eye. It’s important to introduce them to everything, and then whatever they feel they can master and get better at, that’s what they’ll end up doing."
Pettersen is clearly encouraged by the shift away from the idea that there is only one right way to hit a golf ball, an evolution she has witnessed first-hand throughout her career.
"From when I was a kid, everyone was supposed to kind of swing the same way," she says. "But I think now it’s more okay to just swing with what you have. You see it today with the top players, there are so many different swings and ways of moving the ball."
At The Alto Club Academy, the focus is on this individuality rather than chasing a specific aesthetic. For Pettersen, perfection is found in what works for the athlete’s unique build.
"It doesn’t make sense for everyone to be boxed in the same way because everyone is different," she insists. "Someone has long arms, short legs, a different eye dominance... it’s a healthier way of coaching. You need the ABCs of golf - grip, stance, posture - but from then on, you’ve got to swing within your own DNA."
This technical respect for the individual is a direct carry-over into her approach to mentorship and leadership. Drawing on her experience as a Solheim Cup captain, she believes that being a role model starts with understanding what makes different personalities tick. "Every human being has their own way of doing things, and you have to accept and respect that," she says. "Getting 12 individuals to work toward one goal was definitely hard, but you have to respect those differences."
It is this holistic view of the player that she wants to instil at the academy, seeing it as a training ground for more than just a scorecard. "You learn so many manners and respect for one another through golf," Pettersen adds. "It’s a vital part of a kid's transition into being a teenager and a young adult."
When it comes to golf's traditional image, Pettersen is all for relaxing the vibe to retain interest, yet she remains a firm believer in the game’s core etiquette.
"I still remember all the stupid rules from my club growing up!" she admits. "But looking back, there’s a charm to that, as it helped shape me. I want the Academy to be a happy place where people have fun, maybe even have some music playing, but you still respect the game. You respect the opponent, your partners, and the manners of the sport. Outside of that? Let’s have a good time."
For Pettersen, the Academy is about more than just local impact, it’s a continuation of the role she played on the world stage. "Even back when we travelled the world competing, I felt our responsibility was to introduce the game to as many people as possible. If I can ask for one thing in return for this academy, it’s just to see people come back. I want them to have that hunger where they say, 'This is the place I want to be.'"
