– The aim is to become the best golf product in Norway

– It is a lot of work to start a golf company and golf club again, more than we imagined, says Arild André Karlsen.

The golf investor from Jessheim is up early for Easter. According to the plan, he was supposed to pack his golf bag now and head for warmer areas than the wintry sea of ​​fog at Kløfta. But this winter did not go as planned.

– The response has been fantastic, and the statements of support we receive from far and wide are simply touching, he says.

Will be the best in Norway

He makes no secret of the fact that his ambitions are high for the new golf course at Miklagard.

– The goal is clear. Together with our employees, partners and members, we will create the best golf product in Norway. We will not get there during 2024, we cannot do that. But that is the goal we must work towards.

– Is that a tough goal?

– Yes, it is tough, but also realistic, says Karlsen.

– And it’s not just about track quality, but a total experience. We will measure ourselves on the service we provide to members and guests, on the well-being in the club and the activities we create. Starting over gives us some clear advantages.

One of the advantages is the availability of membership and start times. At a time when people are flocking back to the golf courses again, Miklagard has the capacity to welcome many more than the 300 or so who have so far signed up to the newly founded club.

– We have better conditions for success than ever before. The debt has been significantly reduced. And the golf company has brought in owners with capital and the will to invest more in the golf product here, assures Karlsen and gives Norsk Golf a status report on the most important areas.

New organization in place

Several familiar faces will continue to join the new organisation. Greenkeeper Duncan Bruce will still lead the track crews. Also a club maker Tom Horley continues at Miklagard. In addition, the course company hopes to have a new sports manager or golf director in place just before Easter.

– We have also recruited good people who will be responsible for member service and Miklagard Business Club. We have chosen not to hire a general manager. Instead, it will be reported directly to the board, at least now in the first instance, says Karlsen.

He himself takes a seat on the board of Miklagard Golfdrift AS, which is led by a lawyer Benjamin Nordhaug. Other board members are provisional
Trond Laeng, Tore Waagø, Cato Accepted and Øivind Scheid Bjørnstadwho led the old constellation until the bankruptcy in January.

– We complement each other well. Here is both continuity and something new. And that also applies to our partners. We have brought in many of the old ones and some new ones as well, says Karlsen.

Close dialogue with the hotel

Particularly pleasing is the positive dialogue with Lily Country Club, the adjacent hotel behind the 18th green. The short journey from the hotel to the track offers opportunities that others cannot match.

– There are synergies here that can clearly be used better. Fortunately, both parties want closer cooperation. And it should benefit both guests and members, emphasizes Karlsen, who with his ownership in the Swedish major project Crownwood also has another ace up his sleeve.

– We had several thoughts in our heads when we formed the membership categories. The overall goal was to find the right price for what will be Norway’s best golf product and at the same time make it available to everyone who lives in the local area.

– Nothing is set in stone. But at the top, we must have an attractive total membership that can provide benefits both at the hotel and at several other courses, for example Crownwood, he says.

Hoping for an early opening

In the first instance, most members of the new Miklagard GK are probably more than satisfied with playing golf at Kløfta. It looked ugly for a long time. Also with regard to the maintenance of the track.

– It has gone well. The feedback from the track crews is very positive. The track has overwintered significantly better than in previous years. If the forces of nature do not destroy, we hope to open in early May. But of course we have to see. We will open when the pitch is ready, states Karlsen.

Together with the other owners, he has already made plans for further development of the golf facility.

– We must continuously work on that, he says. – And one of the things we will prioritize the most is improving the training areas. We have more than enough space, both around the clubhouse, at the hotel car park and towards E6. Actions can also be taken at today’s range.

– What do you want to achieve with bigger and better training areas?

– It is good for everyone. I understand those who miss the old rank. And in addition, we will facilitate more activities for children and young people. We are looking forward to the further dialogue with the municipality and the schools in order to achieve closer cooperation.

– Was this neglected earlier?

– If not neglected, it was certainly not prioritized high enough. But we will do that in the future, promises Arild Karlsen, who has also not forgotten that Miklagard is an excellent tournament course for major championships.

– Most people know my involvement there, he says. – But now we must first improve the course quality and start a local golf club that everyone can enjoy, with lots of social activities. When it is in place, Miklagard is very interested in bigger tournaments. We want a strong sporting commitment. It is important for Golf-Norway.

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