{"id":39596,"date":"2013-01-06T11:00:21","date_gmt":"2013-01-06T11:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.golf1.is\/?p=39596"},"modified":"2013-01-13T12:39:55","modified_gmt":"2013-01-13T12:39:55","slug":"reflection-on-what-happened-in-the-week-june-11th-june-17th-in-golf-in-iceland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/reflection-on-what-happened-in-the-week-june-11th-june-17th-in-golf-in-iceland\/","title":{"rendered":"Reflection on what happened in the week June 11th – June 17th 2012 in Golf in Iceland"},"content":{"rendered":"

Now we\u00b4ll continue raconteuring a few of the highlights in Icelandic golf this past summer.<\/p>\n

On June 12th women in the \u201efree enterprise association” i.e. women who own their own businesses in Iceland got together and held a tournament on the new 18 hole golfcourse in Grindav\u00edk (in the South of Iceland; en route from Keflav\u00edk where Icelands only international airport is situated to Reykjav\u00edk \u00a0– among attractions worth mentioning is the Blue Lagoon in Grindav\u00edk and when you come to Iceland it\u00b4s a great idea to combine the two; first play a round on the golfcourse in Grindav\u00edk and then relax in the beautiful, Blue Lagoon). Well we\u00b4re drifting away from the subject.<\/p>\n

The tournament was just for fun – and about everyone received a prize!<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

Some of the women taking part in the tournament at the new 18 hole course of GG (Golf Club of Grindavik) on June 12th 2012. Photo: Golf 1<\/p><\/div>\n

In the meantime in the capitol of Iceland Reykjav\u00edk, on June 12th construction was underway at the largest Golf Club in Iceland, at one of The Golf Club of Reykjav\u00edk\u00b4s (GR) golfcourses i.e. the 1st fairway at the Korp\u00falfsta\u00f0a golfcourse, Korpa for short. The 1st fairway was being changed into a par-5. Also the local rules of GR were changed slightly.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The 1st fairway (now a par-5) of Korpa under construction, June 12th 2012. Photo: Golf 1<\/p><\/div>\n

—————<\/p>\n

On June 13th permission was granted by the Committee on the Environment and Technology in Mountain Settlement (Fjallabygg\u00f0) in the North of Iceland to start building a new golfcourse in Siglufj\u00f6r\u00f0ur, subject to the approval of the Town Council of Siglufj\u00f6r\u00f0ur. Among those celebrating the good news were the manager of GKS (Golf Club of Siglufj\u00f6r\u00f0ur), Ingvar Hreinsson<\/strong> and \u00d3lafur K\u00e1rason<\/strong>, GKS who had been the two main advocates for the project. They hit the first strokes on fairway no.1 to be on the new golfcourse (see photo). In the evening Edwin Roald<\/strong>, the architect of the new golfcourse held an introduction on the construction at the Clubhouse in Siglufj\u00f6r\u00f0ur.<\/p>\n

\"Standing<\/a>

Standing in front: Ingvar Hreinsson, manager of GKS and behind him \u00d3lafur K\u00e1rason – taking the first strokes on the new golfcourse in Siglufj\u00f6r\u00f0ur to be.<\/p><\/div>\n

————–<\/p>\n

On June 14th FORSKOT a new fund supporting elite Icelandic golfers was founded with the participation of Eimskip (Iceland\u00b4s largest shipping company); \u00cdslandsbanki (one of Iceland\u00b4s 3 largest banks); Icelandair Group (Iceland\u00b4s biggest airline); Valitor (i.e. Eurocard) and the Golf Association of Iceland. These 5 were the founders of the fund which goal it is to annually support 2-5 elite golfers financially, whereas golf is now part of the Olympic games in Rio 2016.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The founders of FORSKOT – a fund supporting Icelandic elite golfers on June 14th 2012 hrs.: 12:30 after the signing of the contract. From left.: J\u00f3n Eyj\u00f3lfur \u00c1sgeirsson, president of the Icelandic Golf Association GS\u00cd, Bj\u00f6rg\u00f3lfur J\u00f3hannsson, CEO of Icelandair Group, Vi\u00f0ar \u00deorkelsson, CEO of Valitor; Tinna J\u00f3hannsd\u00f3ttir, professional golfer, GK, Birgir Leifur Haf\u00fe\u00f3rsson, GKG, professional golf – both were among the first recipients of funds from FORSKOT; Birna Einarsd\u00f3ttir, banker in \u00cdslandsbanki, Gylfi Sigf\u00fasson, CEO of Eimskip and H\u00f6r\u00f0ur \u00deorsteinsson, manager of GS\u00cd. Photo: Golf 1<\/p><\/div>\n

————–<\/p>\n

This was a competition weekend for Icelandic juniors, i.e. June 15th -June 16th. There are two Series \u2013 a 1st tier Juniors Tour sponsored by Arion bank and a 2nd tier Challenge Tour also sponsored by Arion bank.<\/p>\n

The Juniors on both Tournament series are divided according into the following agegroups: Aged 14 yrs and younger; 15-16 yrs and 17-18 yrs.<\/p>\n

The main difference between the Arion Junior Tour and the Challenge Tour is that the latter only play 18 holes i.e. 1 round of golf while the first mentioned play 2 rounds.<\/p>\n

On Saturday June 15th the juniors on the Challenge Tour played at the Golf Club in Grindavik (abbreviated.: GG) and the juniors on the Arion Junior Tour played their first round at Korpa golfcourse in Reykjav\u00edk (in Icelandic: Korp\u00falfssta\u00f0arv\u00f6llur).<\/p>\n

To make a long story short the winners on this 3rd tournament of the Challenge Tour were: Melkorka Kn\u00fatsd\u00f3ttir<\/strong>, GK (girls aged 14 yrs and younger); P\u00e1ll Orri P\u00e1lsson<\/strong>, GS (boys aged 14 yrs and younger) after sudden death with Aron Atli Bergmann Valt\u00fdsson<\/strong>, GK (both had a score of 75); \u00de\u00f3rhildur Krist\u00edn \u00c1sgeirsd\u00f3ttir<\/strong>, GKG (girls aged 15-16); Alexander P\u00e9tur Kristj\u00e1nsson<\/strong>, GR (boys aged 15-16). There were no competitiors in the agegroup girls 17-18 and boys 17-18.<\/p>\n

\"From<\/a>

From left to right: Melkorka Kn\u00fatsd\u00f3ttir, GK (winner of the group girls 14 yrs and younger); Sunna Bj\u00f6rk Karlsd\u00f3ttir, GR and Freyd\u00eds Eir\u00edksd\u00f3ttir, GKG. Photo: Golf 1<\/p><\/div>\n

The winners at the 1st tier Arion bank Juniors Tour were: Eva Karen Bj\u00f6rnsd\u00f3ttir<\/strong>, GR (girls aged 14 yrs and younger); Atli M\u00e1r Gr\u00e9tarsson<\/strong>, GK (boys aged 14 yrs and younger); Ragnhildur Kristinsd\u00f3ttir<\/strong>, GR (girls aged 15-16); G\u00edsli Sveinbergsson<\/strong>, GK (boys aged 15-16); Sunna V\u00ed\u00f0isd\u00f3ttir<\/strong>, GR (girls 17-18) and Bjarki P\u00e9tursson<\/strong>, GB (boys 17-18).<\/p>\n

What is also worth mentioning is that \u00cdsak Jasonarson<\/strong>, GK, had a hole in one on this 3rd tournament of the Arion bank Juniors Tour.<\/p>\n

\"Bjarki<\/a>

Bjarki P\u00e9tursson, GB (Winner of boys 17-18) at Korpa golfcourse at the 3rd tournament of the Arion bank Junior series. Photo: Golf 1<\/p><\/div>\n

————–<\/p>\n

Kids at the Golf Club of Sau\u00f0\u00e1rkr\u00f3kur, Skagafj\u00f6r\u00f0ur in the North of Iceland (abbreviated: GSS) played 1000 golfholes on Friday June 15th to collect a few kronas for the Junior Golf in Sau\u00f0\u00e1rkr\u00f3kur.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Clubhouse of GSS (Golfkl\u00fabbur Sau\u00f0\u00e1rkr\u00f3ks Skagafir\u00f0i) in the North of Iceland. Photo: Golf 1<\/p><\/div>\n

————–<\/p>\n

On Saturday June 16th the annual women\u00b4s tournament in Sau\u00f0\u00e1rkr\u00f3kur took place – This year, i.e. 2012 the winner was Sigr\u00ed\u00f0ur El\u00edn \u00de\u00f3r\u00f0ard\u00f3ttir<\/strong>, GSS (Short for the G<\/strong>olf Club of S<\/strong>au\u00f0\u00e1rkr\u00f3kur, S<\/strong>kagafj\u00f6r\u00f0ur)<\/p>\n

\"Sigr\u00ed\u00f0ur<\/a>

Sigr\u00ed\u00f0ur El\u00edn \u00de\u00f3r\u00f0ard\u00f3ttir, GSS. Photo: Golf 1<\/p><\/div>\n

————–<\/p>\n

On June 17th is Iceland\u00b4s National Day. We here in Iceland\u00a0celebrate the day in 1944 that The Republic of Iceland (L\u00fd\u00f0veldi\u00f0 \u00cdsland) was formed. The date of June 17th was chosen because it is the birthday of J\u00f3n Sigur\u00f0sson<\/strong>, a major figure of Icelandic culture and the leader of the 19th century Icelandic independence movement.<\/p>\n

On Iceland\u00b4s National Day, June 17th many golftournaments are held; here in the Southern part of Iceland a much frequented and popular tournament is the one at GC Nes. The compitition is divided in two; it has a stroke play component and another according to the Stabbleford points system. This year Arn\u00f3r Ingi Finnbj\u00f6rnsson<\/strong>, GR, who studies and plays golf collegically at Belmont Abbey College, North Carolina won the stroke play with a score of 69 and Gu\u00f0j\u00f3n Petersen<\/strong>, G\u00c1S (abbreviation for G<\/strong>olf Club of \u00c1s<\/strong>at\u00fan) won with 45 points.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The winners of the 2012 June 17th tournament at GC Nes. Photo: GC Nes<\/p><\/div>\n

—————<\/p>\n

\u00de\u00f3r\u00f0ur Rafn Gissurarson<\/strong>, GR, participated in the Schlo\u00df Moyland Golfresort Classic which is part of the 3rd tier German EPD-Tour. The tournment was held June 15th-17th in Bedburg-Hau, Germany. \u00de\u00f3r\u00f0ur Rafn\u00b4s score was a total of 1 over par\u00a0217 strokes (70 71 76) and he made the cut ended in the 16th spot.<\/p>\n

\"\u00de\u00f3r\u00f0ur<\/a>

\u00de\u00f3r\u00f0ur Rafn Gissurarson, GR. Photo: Golf 1.<\/p><\/div>\n

————–<\/p>\n

Last but not least one has to mention that one of Iceland\u00b4s most beloved PGA instructors, Magn\u00fas Birgisson<\/strong>, who is one of 2 owners of the MP Golf Academy, which opperates at GC Oddur in Gar\u00f0ab\u00e6r, got a very distinguished pupil this weekend of June 16th-June 17th – the Icelandic Minister of the Interior who was taking his first steps in golf under the surveilant eye of Magn\u00fas. \u00a0You can see a video of the event by CLICKING HERE:\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The Minister of the Interior, \u00d6gmundur J\u00f3nasson was participating in a round of golf around Iceland, held by Kiwanis, and it was estimated that 1 \u201egolf round” around Iceland equaled 300 golfrounds in length or approx. 14.000 km in length. This \u201elarge golfcourse” wound its way among others over the \u201elargest bunker” which contained lava ash over the largest lava fields and the largest field of lupinas. An attempt was made to set 5 new world records to be recorded in the Guinness book of world records. \u00a0\u00d6gmundur hit the first golfstroke and fared well after the golf-lesson with Magn\u00fas.<\/p>\n

\"Magn\u00fas<\/a>

Magn\u00fas Birgisson, one of Iceland\u00b4s most beloved PGA golfinstructors. Photo: Golf 1<\/p><\/div>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Now we\u00b4ll continue raconteuring a few of the highlights in Icelandic golf this past summer. On June 12th women in the \u201efree enterprise association” i.e. women who own their own businesses in Iceland got together and held a tournament on the new 18 hole golfcourse in Grindav\u00edk (in the South of Iceland; en route from Keflav\u00edk where Icelands only international airport is situated to Reykjav\u00edk \u00a0– among attractions worth mentioning is the Blue Lagoon in Grindav\u00edk and when you come to Iceland it\u00b4s a great idea to combine the two; first play a round on the golfcourse in Grindav\u00edk and then relax in the beautiful, Blue Lagoon). Well we\u00b4re drifting Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":56587,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39596","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","cat-7-id"],"acf":[],"views":1625,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39596","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39596"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39596\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56587"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39596"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39596"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39596"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}