{"id":48058,"date":"2012-11-18T13:30:58","date_gmt":"2012-11-18T13:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.golf1.is\/?p=48058"},"modified":"2012-11-18T16:44:55","modified_gmt":"2012-11-18T16:44:55","slug":"introducing-berglind-bjornsdottir","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/introducing-berglind-bjornsdottir\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing Icelanders who play on US College Golf teams no. 7: Berglind Bj\u00f6rnsd\u00f3ttir"},"content":{"rendered":"

Berglind Bj\u00f6rnsd\u00f3ttir<\/strong> is one of about twenty Icelanders who study and play golf on US College golfteams.<\/p>\n

In Iceland Berglind plays golf for Iceland\u00b4s largest Golf Club – The Golf Club of Reykjav\u00edk (abbrev. GR). \u00a0She also studies and plays golf with the ladies golfteam of UNCG \u00a0(short for the\u00a0\u00a0University of North Carolina, Greensboro),<\/p>\n

It was remarkable how much her game had improved when she returned to Iceland this past summer – she had lowered her handicap drastically in a short amount of time. She won on the 2. tournament of the Eimskip Series here in Iceland, in the Westmanna Islands with a combined score of\u00a011 over par, 221 strokes (78 71 72) played excellent golf in extremely hard and windy weather conditions.<\/p>\n

The Westmanna Islands golfcourse is a favorite among many Icelanders and Berglind seems to feel very comfortable on the course since she became the Icelandic Junior Champion in Stroke Play in the Westmanna Islands in 2005. As a junior Berglind won many titles a.o. she became Icelandic Junior Champion in 2004 – had the best combined score as a Junior 2006 and was Icelandic Champion in Match Play on the Leirdalur golfcourse in the Golf Club of K\u00f3pavogur and Gar\u00f0ab\u00e6r (abbrev. GKG), in Iceland in 2007.<\/p>\n

This past summer Golf 1 interviewed Berglind after her victory in the Westmanna Islands and what was apparent and memorable is how much she enjoys playing golf at UNCG, she loves her coach, her team, the practice she\u00b4s getting, the campus, her studies and considered herself to be extremely lucky to be studying in the States. Everything seemed to have exceeded her expectations. \u00a0We here in Iceland, on the other hand, miss her. Here goes the interview:<\/p>\n

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Berglind Bj\u00f6rnsd\u00f3ttir, GR and UNCG in front of the Korp\u00falfsta\u00f0ir golfcourse one of 3 great golfcourses of the Golf Club of Reykjav\u00edk and one of her favorite in Iceland. Photo: Golf 1<\/p><\/div>\n

What is your name?:\u00a0<\/em>Berglind Bj\u00f6rnsd\u00f3ttir.<\/p>\n

Member of which Golf Club in Iceland are you?:<\/em>\u00a0The Golf Club of Reykjav\u00edk, GR.<\/p>\n

Where and when were you born?\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0In the Landsp\u00edtali in Reykjav\u00edk, September 29th 1992.<\/p>\n

Where did you grow up?<\/em>\u00a0 Up untill I was 6 years old I lived in Seltjarnarnes, Iceland and then I moved in Grafarvogur and have lived here ever since.<\/p>\n

What is your family status and does anyone in your family play golf?\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0I live with my parents and I have 2 brothers and 1 sister. My parents play golf but my siblings don\u00b4t.<\/p>\n

When did you start playing golf?<\/em>\u00a0My dad introduced me to golf when I was 4 years old.<\/p>\n

Why did you start playing golf?<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0I took it up by myself when I was 8 after I participated in a golf clinic for children at the Golf Club of Reykjav\u00edk (GR). Success followed shortly after. I was soon in the group of juniors who excelled and 10 years old I began competing in my first tournaments. I find competing under pressure among the most fun I do on the course.<\/p>\n

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Berglind Bj\u00f6rnsd\u00f3ttir, The Golf Club of Reykjav\u00edk, competing for UNCG. Photo: UNCG<\/p><\/div>\n

Now you\u00b4re studying at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. Could you describe an ordinary school day of yours?<\/em> We work out twice a week in the Gym. At hrs. 6:15 we meet our personal trainer and practice for about 1- 1 1\/2 hours. We run alot and do alot of strength and balance exercises. Then I go to the to the cantine to get myself something to eat and then school starts at 8 o\u00b4clock and I\u00b4m not done until lunch although it varies a bit when class is out, sometimes we\u00b4re done at 11 o\u00b4clok sometimes a bit later at 13 o\u00b4clock. No matter when I\u00b4m done after lunch I start practicing. We, the girls on the team don\u00b4t all have the same schedule, and it differs what each of us does and needs to work on. Sometimes we practice together and have minor scrambles og competitions. On Fridays and\/or Saturdays we play rounds of golf. We\u00b4re most of the time done at hrs. 18-19 and then we just have the evening to ourselves.<\/p>\n

What did surprise you the most about the US?<\/em> What came as the biggest surprise was how much of a dream come true this was. There are so many things that can go wrong. For example my coach, I adore here. Her name is\u00a0Emily Marron \u00a0and she was at Penn State. I\u00b4m also lucky with my roommates, lucky with my team, I get to take part in all competitions, it\u00b4s just perfect.<\/p>\n

What\u00b4s the worst about the US?<\/em> How much of tempting food there is …. which I can\u00b4t have any of.<\/p>\n

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Berglind Bj\u00f6rnsd\u00f3ttir, Golf Club of Reykjav\u00edk, playing for UNCG. Photo UNCG<\/p><\/div>\n

What do you like the best about the US?<\/em>\u00a0Alot of things. Just talking from a golfing point of view this is an opportunity to have excellent practicing facilities and be at the same time able to practice golf longer than in Iceland. We play on green grass until November here in the States and then again in March. There is such a difference being able to practice on grass. One can practice alot and doesn\u00b4t need to take a 6 month break. To be able to play this much longer has had a drastic effect on my play and then there is the experience being able to play on new and new golfcourses.<\/p>\n

What is the difference in golfcourses in the US and Iceland?<\/em> The greens are softer and more spongy in the US. Here (in Iceland) the grass is firmer and the ball bounces more and rolls. On the greens in the US the ball stops immediately.<\/p>\n

What do you prefer parkland courses or linkses?<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0Parkland courses. These are two very different types of golfcourses, but I\u00b4m more attracted to parkland courses. They are so beautiful with high trees and ponds.<\/p>\n

What do you prefer match play or stroke play? \u00a0 <\/em>These are two very different types of games. I have always been more fond of match play. \u00a0There is a different mindset. One can rip and grip without much consequences. Match play is tougher – much more of a competition and I like to compete.<\/p>\n

What\u00b4s your favorite golfcourse in Iceland? <\/em>One of the golfcourses of The Golf Club of Reykjav\u00edk, Korp\u00falfssta\u00f0ir and the golfcourse in the Westmanna Islands.<\/p>\n

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The Westmanna Islands golfcourse – one of Berglind\u00b4s favorite golfcourse in Iceland and the venue of her victory on the Eimskip Series – The Iceland Golf Tour – here in Iceland this past summer 2012. Photo: eyjafrettir.is<\/p><\/div>\n

What is your favorite golfcourse anywhere in the world except for Iceland?<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0TPC Sawgrass. I have played the Old Course at St. Andrews, there it\u00b4s the history and the roots of golf that attract. I have good memories from there since I got a\u00f0 birdie on hole no. 9. Pinehurst no. 6 is also an unbelieveably beautiful course – every hole with its own, distinct characteristics and not a single boring \u201efill up” hole.<\/p>\n

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TPC Sawgrass one of Berglind\u00b4s favorite golfcourses abroad.<\/p><\/div>\n

What is the most special golfcourse you have played and why? <\/em>The Geysir golfcourse in Iceland because it\u00b4s so beautiful. It\u00b4s also a very hard course to play. There\u00b4s no chance of finding the golfball if it goes in the rough – it\u00b4s gone forever. There you\u00b4ll have to play position golf. The course is usually in perfect condition and there are never alot of people there. The only bad thing about it is how far away from the capitol it is (about 1- 1 1\/2 hrs. drive from Reykjav\u00edk).<\/p>\n

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From the Geysir golfcourse in Iceland. Photo: Golf 1.<\/p><\/div>\n

What is your handicap?<\/em>\u00a01,2<\/p>\n

What is your lowest score and on what golfcourse did you achieve it?<\/em>\u00a0 A\u00a072 on Kiawah Island, Cougar Point and 71 strokes on Westmanna Islands golfcourse in the Eimskip series.<\/p>\n

Have you ever had a hole in one?<\/em> \u00a0No, but I\u00b4ve been pretty close a few times.<\/p>\n

What snack do you have in the bag?<\/em>\u00a0In my bag are homemade sandwiches with cabage, cheese, pepperoni, turkey and cucumber. Sometimes I have an Icelandic speciality called flatk\u00f6kur (lit. flat cakes) with Icelandic hangikj\u00f6t (beef of lamb). Sometimes I take a banana and usually something to drink; water or Gatorade.<\/p>\n

Have you taken part in other sports?<\/em>\u00a0 I was in ballet for 2 years and also in gymnastics and soccer. I played for the longest time badminton and then I was learning to play the piano. I had to choose, but since I already was in the Icelandic national junior team in golf, I chose golf.<\/p>\n

What is your favorite food, your favorite drink, your favorite music, your favorite movie and your favorite book?<\/em>\u00a0 My favorite food is beef \u00a0bernaise<\/strong>;\u00a0my favorite drink is Icelandic Water<\/strong>; my favorite type of music is rock<\/strong>; I have a few favorite movies a.o. Forest Gump<\/strong> and The Greatest Game Ever Played<\/strong>\u00a0and my favorite books are: Golf is not a Game of Perfect<\/strong> by Bob Rotella and The Hungergames <\/strong>by Suzanne Collins.<\/p>\n

What is your favorite golfer name 1 female and 1 male?<\/em>\u00a0Female: Annika S\u00f6renstam is always my favorite although she\u00b4s stopped competing. Male: Phil Mickelson is also a favorite because he\u00b4s a little wild but always finds a way and he\u00b4s also a great character. I look up to him.<\/p>\n

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement in golf today?<\/em>\u00a0 I consider it an achievement to be playing golf collegially. After we the new ones came on the team we have gone up 60 spots on the points list. We were 124th but we\u00b4re now at plce 64. And then there\u00b4s my first victory in the Eimskip Series here in Iceland, that was a bridge I had to cross.<\/p>\n

We interviewed you here at Golf 1 earlies after your 1st victory on the Eimskip Series on the 2nd tournament this year, 2012, in the Westamanna Islands but tell us again what was it that was going your way and got you the victory?<\/em> Simply my mindset, keeping everything simple and don\u00b4t go beyond myself, to stay in the present and do what I love most, to compete.<\/p>\n

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Berglind Bj\u00f6rnsd\u00f3ttir, The Golf Club of Reykjav\u00edk. Photo: Golf 1<\/p><\/div>\n

What is your dream foursome? Myself and…..<\/em>\u00a0Jack Nicklaus, Luke Donald and Tiger.<\/p>\n

What is in your bag and what is your favorite club?<\/em> \u00a0I have aNike Method putter, Titleist Vokey wedges, Titleist AP2 irons, a PingI15 rescue club and a 5-tree, 3-tree and aTaylorMade Rocket Ballz,Driver: Titleist D2. I care equally much for all my clubs, there\u00b4s no favorite.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Have you been to a golfinstructor?\u00a0<\/em>Derrick Moore, David Barnwell, Brynjar Eldon, \u00c1rni P\u00e1ll Hansson and many more.<\/p>\n

Are you superstitious?\u00a0<\/em>I used to be, but I\u00b4m not any longer, not really.<\/p>\n

What is your maingoal in golf and in life? <\/em>My\u00a0<\/em>dream is to turn pro, but first I am going to see how good I can get playing in the best of conditions.<\/p>\n

What do you like the best about golf? <\/em>To be able to execute exactly what you imagine yourself. To see it happen exactly like you imagined it. And to see that exercise pays off. The feeling to hit the perfect golfstroke, exactly like you imagined it.<\/p>\n

How high a percentage do you think the mental part is of your game when you\u00b4re competeing? \u00a0<\/em>I think that focusing while praciticing is the most important thing. Some say that the quantity of practice is the most important i.e. how much you practice, but one can practice forever without getting anything out of it. One has to concentrate. When you practice you have more self-confidence going into the game. I guess the mental part when I compete is around 60%.<\/p>\n

At last: Do you have some good piece of advice you can give golfers? <\/em>Put the emphasis on the short game, that\u00b4s the most important part of the game.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Berglind Bj\u00f6rnsd\u00f3ttir is one of about twenty Icelanders who study and play golf on US College golfteams. In Iceland Berglind plays golf for Iceland\u00b4s largest Golf Club – The Golf Club of Reykjav\u00edk (abbrev. GR). \u00a0She also studies and plays golf with the ladies golfteam of UNCG \u00a0(short for the\u00a0\u00a0University of North Carolina, Greensboro), It was remarkable how much her game had improved when she returned to Iceland this past summer – she had lowered her handicap drastically in a short amount of time. She won on the 2. tournament of the Eimskip Series here in Iceland, in the Westmanna Islands with a combined score of\u00a011 over par, 221 strokes Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":48060,"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-48058","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","cat-7-id"],"acf":[],"views":2232,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48058","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=48058"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48058\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48060"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48058"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48058"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48058"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}