The whole team at Worldwide Golf were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the much-loved Viggo Sørensen last month.
We had the pleasure of meeting Viggo on a few occasions and he also featured on the front cover of the magazine in January off the back of winning last year’s EGF Order of Merit. He was a joy to interview and came across as a smart, kind and talented young man. He spoke very fondly of his family and friends and had a wise head on young shoulders as he told us about his career goals.
To celebrate his life, we reached out to members of the local community, including his friends, coaches and teachers, asking if they would like to pay tribute to Viggo in this issue.
Michael Sweenie
Viggos’s Coach
Words cannot describe how heartbroken I feel right now having been so close with Viggo and fortunate to coach him on this journey for the past 3 years. I am so proud of everything he achieved and being able to watch Viggo develop, not only as a young junior into a top amateur player, but also as person. He was loved and respected by so many for his fun loving, respectful, polite and mature attitude towards everyone. He would always go out his way to help and support any of the younger juniors coming through. As a competitor Viggo was extremely well driven and hungry for success. Hard working and determined, he would be regularly the first person at the academy for 6am early morning practice sessions!
I will never forget Viggo and the relationship we had. Throughout coaching him I just wanted to provide Viggo with all the necessary tools he deserved to work towards his future goal of becoming a Tour Professional. And I know he had so many successes ahead of him. Also, such a strong relationship with his father Thomas. Thomas and Natalie are incredible parents who fully supported Viggo in every way possible, but never pushed him into doing anything he did not want to. Viggo would always talk about his dad and I could see how proud he was of his father. I will miss him so much, Viggo was special in so many ways and he will always be in my thoughts.
Max Burrow
Local Golfer
I was excited to be paired with Viggo for the second round of the Arabian Ranches Men’s Open in 2020. It was the first time we had met and it was soon after Viggo’s dominant victory at the Montgomerie on his Men’s Open debut, followed by a narrow playoff defeat at Dubai Hills. We shared a cart and on the opening hole I told Viggo how I admired that he had learnt ‘how to win’ on the way to his goal of lifting the UAE Junior OOM title, rather than rushing into the Men’s Opens. I felt this was wise and something that required a good deal of patience and commitment. It was therefore no surprise that when he started his senior amateur career he did it successfully and stayed true to his process and subsequent goal of lifting the UAE Mens OOM title in 2021. Viggo was a fierce competitor and a man true to himself. There are several things that I will take from knowing him and I will reflect fondly on the short time we spent together. Shine on Viggo.
Khalid Al Jasmi
Local Golfer
I had the pleasure of watching Viggo grow up from a little boy at the back end of the JGE range, into a confident, mature young man. He was an exceptional golfer, who left his mark on all of us. He will be sorely missed by his friends and the UAE golfing community. Heartfelt condolences to his mother and father. Rest in peace Viggo.
Dan Byrne
Local Golfer
Viggo was a pleasure to have known, he was top class in every aspect of life. Viggo will forever be remembered for the great example he was, may we all strive to incorporate some of Viggo in our daily lives as he was a role model.
Yash Majmudar
Local Golfer
Viggo was a breath of fresh air. An extremely hardworking, genuine young man with big dreams. What happened is truly tragic because I have no doubt he would have reached those dreams. The Dubai golf community won’t be the same without him.
Toby Bishop
Local Golfer
Viggo was more than a fellow golfer, but like a brother, a best friend. His attitude and work ethic was second to none, striving to achieve the high standards he set himself. He brought a sense of energy and spread his positive morale with everyone he was around. The legacy he left will be forever remembered, and I hope to do my dear friend proud throughout my career. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.
Thomas Moriarty
Assistant Principal – Sixth Form GEMS Wellington Academy, Al Khail
The news of Viggo’s passing has been very difficult to understand and digest with everyone here at Gems Wellington Academy, Al Khail. I remember Viggo stepping into our Sixth Form for the very first time in September 2020. A polite, young charmer, we both hit it off from the very start. Viggo decided to play a prank on me on his first induction day. He thought it would be a great fun by deciding to answer to another new 6th Former’s name at every opportunity. When I discovered that Viggo wasn’t who he was claiming to be, he was able to charm me with his cheeky smile as he asked if I played golf, so I couldn’t tell him off! Viggo was not only a talented golfer but a brilliant, capable and driven student who had an excellent relationship with all his teachers.
Viggo achieved A grades in his recent modular exams as well as being a reliable friend and role model to our younger students, we were all lucky and proud to have known him. Our WEK Community is heartbroken at the loss of such an amazing young man. Viggo touched our hearts with his laughter, his joy and presence in our Sixth Form and school. We will miss him very much and will always keep him in my thoughts. On behalf of our WEK Community, I would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
Sam Mullane
Local Golfer
A determined , dedicated , family like friend who was loved and respected by all people around him. You will always be my medic in the field. Never forgotten.
Niklas Korjonen
Local Golfer
Viggo was the one person you could always count on getting a call from to do something on a day off from school. He brought joy along to everything we did together. Like father like son he was also a very talented driver.
Ahmad Skaik
Local Golfer
Viggo was one of the most talented and most hard-working people I have ever met. He was a very funny individual that always made us laugh even when we were playing bad on the course. He is very close to us all and will always be remembered as a brother.
Trystan Du Plessis
Local Golfer
He’s not gone or lost and never will be, Viggo has brought light into all our hearts. Such great talent will never go to waste as we all reflect and copy what Viggo has displayed whether it was friendship or as a fellow golfer.
Stephen Deane
Head of Academies, Dubai Golf
Viggo was the life and soul of the Junior golfers within the Academy. His personality was infectious and he always greeted you with a smile and sense of humor. He respected everyone equally and showed great dedication to his own game and always was first to encourage others with there own. He’d be the first person on the range many mornings and directly after school working on his game. He spent many focused hours working with his coach Michael and was a role model for all students within the Academy. He’ll be sadly missed and we pass every condolence to his family during this difficult time.
Josh Hill
Local Golfer
Viggo was such a great kid and I loved being around him. We had some great banter between us but he also had a serious side to him when he needed to. He was so polite, he was such a great kid. It’s so sad to lose him and it really opens your eyes how grateful you have to be for everything in this world. Sending my full support to his family during this difficult time. It’s such a shock.
