Before they turned pro: Sami Valimaki
Sami Valimaki (PGA Tour Photo)
Sami Välimäki, a Finnish professional golfer, has an impressive track record that began well before he joined the professional ranks. Born on May 23, 1998, in Nokia, Finland, Välimäki's journey in golf has seen him transition from a promising amateur talent to a successful professional golfer.
Valimaki is not the only athlete in his family, as he is the cousin of Arizona Coyote defenseman Juuso Valimaki and is an avid hockey fan himself.
Amateur Career
During his amateur career, Välimäki quickly became one of Finland's premier golf talents. One of his most significant accomplishments was being selected for the Europe team in the Bonallack Trophy. This prestigious amateur golf tournament pits the best amateur golfers from Europe against those from Asia-Pacific. His selection was a testament to his growing reputation in the amateur golf world.
In the same year, Välimäki represented the Continent of Europe team in the St Andrews Trophy, another testament to his skill and potential. This competition, contested between the best amateur golfers from Continental Europe and Great Britain & Ireland, provided Välimäki with a platform to showcase his talents against some of the best amateurs in Europe.
2018 also saw Välimäki playing a pivotal role in the Finnish team's victory at the European Amateur Team Championship. This win was a significant milestone for Finnish golf and highlighted Välimäki's abilities as a team player and a leader on the course.
Välimäki represented Finland in the 2018 Eisenhower Trophy, the world's premier amateur team golf championship.
Collegiate Career and Transition to Professional Golf
While still an amateur, Välimäki also competed in several Nordic Golf League events during 2017 and 2018. The Nordic Golf League, part of the third tier of European golf, provided him with an opportunity to gain experience in professional events against other professionals.
He turned professional after completing his compulsory military service at the end of 2018.
He wasted no time making his mark as a pro, winning his first event at The Open Casa Green Golf in Casablanca, Morocco. In his sixth professional start, he won the 2020 Oman Open on the European Tour in a playoff, becoming the fourth Finn to win on the Euro Tour. He secured his card on the tour through the European Tour's Q-School in 2019, where he excelled.
Välimäki's amateur and collegiate achievements set a strong foundation for his professional career. His experiences, both in team competitions and individual events, helped him develop a comprehensive skill set.