Robert Karlsson Foundation moves to Charleston, South Carolina
Advancing access to golf while developing character, accountability & life skills.
Robert Karlsson mentoring golf’s next generation
Robert Karlsson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood
August 2026 —The celebrated Swedish golfer Robert Karlsson whose career on the DP World Tour, PGA Tour, and PGA Champions Tour has spanned three decades announced, “The Robert Karlsson Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization will make its headquarters in historic Charleston.”
The Robert Karlsson Foundation uses the game of golf to expand access to opportunity and develop future leaders. Through structured instruction, mentorship, and educational support, participants learn accountability, discipline, and character while pursuing athletic excellence.
Guided by clear expectations for effort and conduct, our programs cultivate confidence and transferable life skills that prepare young people for lasting academic, personal, and professional success.
Historians validate South Carolina Golf Club, was founded in Charleston in 1786. Scottish merchants played an early, unstructured version of the game on a public common known as Harleston Green, making Charleston the historic birthplace of American golf.
Clay Smith, Managing Director states, “It is only fitting that Robert Karlsson’s foundation takes up residency where Europeans first brought the game of golf to the USA.”
Robert Karlsson played in two Ryder Cup championships, served as Vice Captain of the European Ryder Cup Team in 2018 and 2021. Karlsson acted as the analytical, logical anchor for Europe.
Nicknamed "The Scientist" due to his deeply contemplative and calculated approach to golf, Karlsson was intentionally chosen by both captains as their very first Vice-Captain appointment to build the foundational framework for the team. His duties included: Removing emotion from decisions, managing group dynamics and pairings, earning trust among players, and on-course communication.
Clay Smith insists, “Golf is a global sport and Robert has been the consummate globetrotter, former European Number One player, winning 11 times on the world stage. His experience, demeanor, and success will permeate throughout all Foundation programs, community activities, and special events. We will be guided by his deeply contemplative and calculated approach to the game and to life itself.”
Our Team
Robert Karlsson
Robert Karlsson is one of Sweden’s greatest ever golfers with 11 victories on the DP World Tour. He was the first Swede to become Europe’s number one player after winning the Order of Merit in 2008 and in the same year won the World Cup of Golf alongside Henrik Stenson.
His final DP World Tour victory came in the UAE at the Dubai World Championship, the season ending event, in 2010. Twice on the Ryder Cup team in 2006 and 2008, he was also a vice captain in 2018 and 2021.
Currently, Robert plays on the PGA Champions Tour and resides in Charlotte and devotes much of his time in the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
Chairman
Clay Smith
Clay Smith is a veteran sports & entertainment executive, manager/agent, and celebrated television writer/producer. He has managed top athletes and entertainers, and delivered hundreds of hours of network programming for CBS, NBC, ABC and FOX.
His experience includes event management, association management, nonprofit and foundation leadership. He has served on numerous national Boards, and remains involved in community affairs.
Clay manages all day-to-day functions and activities of the Foundation.
Vice Chairman & Managing DirectorBoard Member, Foundation SecretaryMarcus Burch
Marcus Bailey Burch grew up in Durham, NC and, after learning the trade from his father, has been designing and building custom furniture full time in the Charlotte area since 1996. A wood connoisseur, Marcus enjoys showing others the inherent beauty of natural wood and incorporating aesthetics and space solutions into every project - from kitchen remodels and paneled studies to free-standing heirloom furniture perfect for every room in the house.
Marcus has served on the Board of Directors for more than a decade lending entrepreneurial expertise to the Foundation’s mission and activities.
Initiate a Partnership for Lasting Impact
Submit the form today to express your interest in becoming a participant in the Robert Karlsson Foundation.
