North Carolina State University Athletics
Carl Pettersson To Represent Sweden, Wolfpack In World Cup
10/5/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Oct. 5, 2002
Former Wolfpack standout Carl Pettersson have been selected to represent his native country, Sweden, in the 2002 World Golf Championships (WGC) World Cup. The event, which consists of two top players from 19 countries across the globe, will be held December 12th-15th in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico at the Jack Nicklaus designed Vista Vallarta course.
Pettersson, who played two seasons at NC State in 1999-2000, is considered "one of the up-and-coming young stars on the European Tour" according to the World Golf Championships seed selection committee. He was a two-time All-American and All-ACC selection while at NC State after attending Central Alabama Community College for 1997 and 1998. The 24-year-old has been on the European Tour for only two years, and picked up his first win this summer at the Algarve Open de Portugal.
Pettersson also surprised the golf world after he was tied for the British Open lead after the first round with an amazing 67. While he made international news in the golf world for his British Open performance, Pettersson's former collegiate coach always new the young Swede had the talent and determination to compete with the best golfers in the world.
"Carl has been a great representative for the Wolfpack every week," says Coach Richard Sykes, who coached Pettersson at NC State. "That young man is living a dream that every college player has but few can accomplish. It is a great feat to make it into the professional ranks, but only the truly special and talented players can be good at it. Carl has made it happen."
"I don't think anyone but Carl, his parents, and I knew he could play the way he has played. He has gone from the World Amateur to the WGC World Cup in two years," Sykes says. "I don't think that has been done alot of times."
Pettersson is a pleasant, confident, bright 24-year-old who still calls Raleigh home. He commutes to each European Tour event from Raleigh each week.
"I don't know if it has sunk into my mind yet. I knew I could play at that [high] level and all I needed was a chance to show that I could," Pettersson says. "It is a great honor to represent my native country of Sweden and I also am looking forward to the opportunity to represent NC State. Both are very special."
Pettersson will team with fellow country-man Niclas Fasth to form the eighth seeded country. Fasth is the 32nd ranked player in the world. The event will be televised jointly by ABC and ESPN. Eighteen countries are seeded in the WGC World Cup in addition to the pair from host country Mexico. For more information on the WGC World Cup, visit the website for the World Golf Championships.
Tim Clark, another All-American standout with the Wolfpack, was selected to represent his native country of South Africa, the winning country of the 2001 World Cup. Clark will be paired with Rory Sabbatini, the 92nd ranked player in the world. Clark led the South Africa Tour's Order of Merit in 2001-02, winning the Bell South African Open in his hometown as well. Clark carries a PGA Tour card and was a three-time All-American and All-ACC selection at NC State. He was named the 1997 ACC Player of the Year and won two NCAA East Regional championships.
"Clark is another one of my former players who has really represented NC State well," Sykes says. "He competes hard every week on the PGA Tour and is truly a gifted player and person."
Clark has been a professional since his playing days at NC State from 1996-1998.
