Stay Humble: Erling Haaland’s Memorable Day at Sedgefield
Erling Haaland teed it up at Sedgefield Country Club during Norway's stay in Greensboro, North Carolina, showcasing his love for golf and finding a rare escape from global stardom.
Dirk Fennie, associate head coach of the UNC Greensboro Men’s Golf Team and Sedgefield Country Club member
In the hole: Dirk Fennie fistbumps Erling Haaland
“Stay humble.” It was fitting advice for one of the world’s biggest sports stars.
After Erling Haaland birdied the ninth hole at Sedgefield Country Club and turned in an impressive 42, Dirk Fennie couldn’t resist reminding him of a phrase the Norwegian soccer superstar has made famous.
“I told him, ‘Stay humble,’” Fennie recalled with a laugh. “I said, ‘This game has a way of tearing you down after you’re feeling pretty good about yourself. Stay focused.’ He just smiled and said, ‘Yeah, you’re right. I’ve got to calm down.’”
For a few hours on a quiet Friday morning in June, Haaland wasn’t one of the most recognizable athletes on the planet. He was simply another golfer trying to solve one of Donald Ross’ finest designs. That may have been exactly why he enjoyed it so much.
A Greensboro connection
The opportunity came together through a series of local connections.
Norway’s national team was training at UNC Greensboro while staying at Grandover Resort during its month-long training camp ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Fennie, associate head coach of the UNCG men’s golf team and a longtime Sedgefield member, received a call from the athletic department asking if he could help arrange a round.
Sedgefield Director of Golf Eric Ferguson secured a morning tee time, and before long Fennie found himself playing with Haaland, Sander Berge and Jørgen Strand Larsen. The players specifically wanted to experience Sedgefield, home of the PGA TOUR’s Wyndham Championship.
“They were interested because it’s a PGA TOUR venue,” Fennie said. “They really wanted to play it.”
More than a casual golfer
Haaland’s passion for golf quickly became obvious. While Berge and Strand Larsen were enthusiastic beginners, Fennie said Haaland possessed both a solid game and a genuine appreciation for golf’s mental challenges.
“He really gets it,” Fennie said. “He loves the fact that it’s not easy. He understands that you can hit a terrible shot, and your next shot can be one of the best you’ve ever hit.”
For Fennie, those observations carried particular weight. A former North Carolina Amateur champion who competed in multiple USGA championships, Fennie studied the mental game under legendary sports psychologist Dr. Bob Rotella while playing at the University of Colorado. He recognized something familiar in Haaland’s approach.
“He’d hit a bad shot, but it didn’t bother him,” Fennie said. “He understood that one bad shot isn’t a big deal. You can still make par or bogey with one really good shot. He never let one swing define the hole.”
Haaland eventually struggled on Sedgefield’s demanding back nine but regrouped to finish well.
“He was very into it,” Fennie said.
“He loves playing golf with golfers,” Fennie said. “When you’re playing golf, you’re focused on your own game. You’re not standing there in awe of somebody. You’re trying to hit your own shots.”
Just another golfer
Perhaps the most revealing conversation came away from the scorecard. Haaland told Fennie one of the reasons he enjoys golf is because golfers treat him differently than fans do.
“He loves playing golf with golfers,” Fennie said. “When you’re playing golf, you’re focused on your own game. You’re not standing there in awe of somebody. You’re trying to hit your own shots. He understands that. He likes being around golfers because they just treat him like another golfer.”
For one morning, the Premier League superstar could escape the spotlight and compete in a sport where everyone battles the same frustrations. That competitive spirit extended throughout Norway’s stay in Greensboro. According to Fennie, the players practically lived on the golf course during their free time.
“They were banging on the pro shop door at 6 or 6:30 every morning,” he said with a laugh. “They wanted to play as much golf as they could before team meetings.”
The competition became serious enough that teammates organized two-on-two matches, purchased matching shirts from the golf shop and dressed alike to represent their teams.
“They were all in,” Fennie said. “One hundred percent.”
Discovering Sedgefield
The visitors immediately appreciated Sedgefield’s classic architecture.
“They could tell right away it was a really nice golf course,” Fennie said. “They loved the layout, the terrain, the way the property moves. They kept saying they could tell it was a special place.”
As the round continued, word gradually spread throughout the club. Early in the morning, only a handful of members approached Haaland for photos. By lunchtime, excitement had grown.
“You could kind of feel the buzz around the club,” Fennie said. “‘Oh boy … look who’s here.’”
The players embraced the experience, spending several hours at the club before filling shopping bags with Sedgefield apparel from the golf shop.
A reminder of Haaland’s global reach
If anyone needed a reminder that Haaland’s celebrity extends well beyond the fairways, it arrived near the 18th green. Earlier in the day, Haaland posted a Snapchat from Sedgefield. Two young boys competing in a youth soccer tournament somewhere in Greensboro saw the post, figured out where he was and quietly called an Uber to the club. By the time the group reached the finishing hole, the boys were waiting behind the green.
“They were just standing there hoping to meet him,” Fennie said. “I took a picture of Erling with the two kids using their phone. They were so excited.”
Fennie laughed remembering the moment. “I don’t think their coaches — or maybe even their parents — had any idea where they’d gone.”
The boys eventually returned with the photo they wanted. Haaland moved on to his next commitment. And for one memorable day at Sedgefield Country Club, one of the world’s biggest soccer stars discovered something golfers have known all along. No matter who you are, the game has a remarkable way of making everyone equal — at least until someone birdies the ninth hole and needs a friendly reminder to stay humble.
Watch highlights from Haaland’s visit to Sedgefield via the video below.
Tusen takk from Sedge. It was a pleasure hosting Erling Haaland, Sander Berge and Jørgen Strand Larsen June 12. ⚽⛳