Erika’s story: finding her own way to thrive
in life and golf

Sweden’s Erika Malmberg is a mum and business owner who is daily tested by autism. Golf represents a true mental challenge – winning The 2024 RSM European Play-offs was a joy.

In the quiet rhythm of a golf course, where the only sounds are the wind shifting through the trees, birdsong, and the occasional strike of a well-hit ball, Erika Malmberg finds a rare sense of order. For Erika, a golfer from Sweden, the game is more than competition, it is structure, clarity, and a way to navigate a world that often feels overwhelmingly unpredictable.

Diagnosed with autism and attention deficit disorder (ADD), Erika has long understood that she perceives the world differently. Social interactions can be challenging, and the unwritten rules of daily life are often difficult to decipher. But in golf, she has found a set of clear, unwavering regulations. “One of the reasons I love golf is there are clear rules for me to follow,” she explains. “I wish I had a set of rules to follow in my everyday life because I feel I am talking a different language to everyone else. I can’t read your body language, I think I can, but I am wrong 90% of the time.”

This affinity for structure is something that many neurodivergent individuals experience. The ability to focus on one shot at a time, to rely on a process, and to work towards a tangible improvement creates a sense of control. Golf offers Erika a place where the expectations are defined, where each hole presents a puzzle to solve, and where her own mind can form a narrative that the rest of life seldom allows.

Beyond the game itself, golf has provided Erika with a pathway to self-discovery. “By competing in golf, I have had to learn about myself, my brain, and my reactions,” she says. The solitary nature of golf forces introspection, each swing a lesson, each round an opportunity to understand how she responds to success and setback alike. This process, she believes, has shaped her far beyond the course. “I want to get better at golf and keep learning, and this journey will also help me grow as a person, a co-worker, a leader, and a mum.”

Erika’s experiences extend well beyond sport. She is a mother, a business owner, and a former police officer, roles that demand resilience, adaptability, and a determination to face challenges head-on. Golf has reinforced these qualities. It has given her a lens through which to view her progress, that is measured not only by strokes and scores but by patience, discipline, and self-awareness.

For many people with disabilities, sport is about more than recreation, it is a pathway to independence, empowerment, and personal growth. In 2024, with the support of RSM, Erika had the invaluable opportunity to test herself in a competitive environment, to connect with others who share similar experiences, and to fully immerse herself in the wider golfing community. Thanks to RSM, she participated in the inaugural RSM Play-offs Women’s Division, an event that not only challenged her but also affirmed her place within the sport. Ultimately, she triumphed, securing victory in the competition, an achievement that underscored her dedication to the game.

For Erika, golf is much more than a sport. It is a source of joy, a means of self-expression, and a vehicle for emotional and personal fulfilment. As she puts it, it provides “moments that make me happy”.

Golf has not erased the challenges Erika faces, nor has it simplified her world. But it has given her a framework, a way to interpret and respond to situations in a manner that makes sense to her. It has provided not only a game to play but a space in which she can be entirely herself.

– With thanks to RSM for their support. Click here to find out more about the RSM European Play-offs.

– Learn more about Erika’s story here with EDGA.

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