{"id":85168,"date":"2018-01-05T10:00:32","date_gmt":"2018-01-05T10:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.golf1.is\/?p=85168"},"modified":"2018-01-05T11:43:05","modified_gmt":"2018-01-05T11:43:05","slug":"introducing-the-new-president-of-the-icelandic-golf-union-haukur-orn-birgisson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/introducing-the-new-president-of-the-icelandic-golf-union-haukur-orn-birgisson\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing: The President of the Icelandic Golf Union – Haukur \u00d6rn Birgisson"},"content":{"rendered":"

On November 23rd 2013, Haukur \u00d6rn Birgisson<\/strong> got elected President of the Icelandic Golf Union. \u00a0He had been adherent to the Union, first as an employee \u00a0and then on the board continously for almost a decade, the last 2 years as Vice President. In the past 5 years Haukur \u00d6rn has served as President of the Icelandic Golf Union he has proven himself and is very well liked. Icelandic golf has never been on such a high as last year, 2017. Last year it was announced and it came as no surprise that Haukur \u00d6rn was to become the President of the European Golf Union.<\/p>\n

Here is an older interview Golf 1 took just before Haukur \u00d6rn got elected President of the Icelandic Golf Union:\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"

Haukur \u00d6rn Birgisson. President of the Icelandic Golf Union. Photo: golf.is<\/p><\/div>\n

Full Name :<\/em> Haukur \u00d6rn Birgisson.<\/p>\n

What Golf Club in Iceland are you a member of?<\/em>: Golf Club Oddur (GO) and then I\u00b4m also a member of Golf Club Fl\u00fa\u00f0ir (GF).<\/p>\n

Where and when were you born?<\/em>\u00a0 I was born in Reykjv\u00edk, on December 3rd 1978.<\/p>\n

Where did you grow up?<\/em> I grew up in Brei\u00f0holt (suburb of Reykjav\u00edk) and \u00a0lived with my parents until I was 25 years old and finisched my legal studies at the University of Iceland, \u00a0then I moved away from home.<\/p>\n

What is your occupation?<\/em> I am a lawyer.<\/p>\n

What is your family status and does anyone in your family play golf? \u00a0<\/em>\u00a0I have a wife and 2 children ; a one year young girl (now 5 years old) and a three year old boy (now 7 years old). Apart from me , my 3 year (now 7 year old) boy \u00a0is the most energetic to play but he has a plastic club, which he loves to play with . He also has two golfsets . I’ve been trying to get my wife to play golf and have given her some golf clubs – but they remain inside, on the garage floor, unused. I told my wife that if she wants to see her family she better start playing golf because the at golf course thats where my children and I will be in the future , so she can not keep this resistance up indefinitely (laughing). Yet currently she has not taken to golf.<\/p>\n

When did you start playing golf ?<\/em> I started young, 9-11 years old; first because my parents were playing golf in Fl\u00fa\u00f0ir \u00a0– I played golf occasionally a couple of times a year – but not seriously until the age of 18. One summer, when I was 14-15 years old , I was in the Golfclub Kj\u00f6lur (in Mosfellsb\u00e6r) when my dad was a member there, but ever since I’ve been in a member of Oddur GC and the Fl\u00fa\u00f0ir GC.<\/p>\n

What made you start playing golf ?<\/em> My parents were playing golf . Daddy started and thus envoked my interest. There is so much golf around Fl\u00fa\u00f0ir where we have a summer cottage.<\/p>\n

Which do you prefer parkland golfcourses or linkses?<\/em>\u00a0I have to be honest, parkland golfcourses. I ‘ve played more in Spain and Florida then on the Scottish linkses. I\u00b4m looking forward to change this and play more in the UK.<\/p>\n

What do you prefer match play or stroke play ?<\/em> Match play . Match plays is such an ” ongoing ” contest and competition on every hole, while the results in stroke pley can \u00a0be settled in the end. Match play is actually a repeated competition throughout the entire game.<\/p>\n

What is your favorite golf course in Iceland?<\/em> Of the 18 hole courses it is the course of my home golfclub, Urri\u00f0av\u00f6llur, but of the 9-hole courses it is the Geysir course. Then I do also particularly like the Brautarholt golf course and the Westman Islands golf course .<\/p>\n

\"\"

The par-3 13th hole on Haukur \u00d6rns favorite golfcourse in Iceland – Urri\u00f0av\u00f6llur the golfcourse of GC Oddur. Photo: Golf 1<\/p><\/div>\n

Have you played all (62) golf courses in Iceland?<\/em> I ‘ve played all the 18 -hole courses (21).<\/p>\n

What is your favorite golf course anywhere in the world (outside of Iceland)? TPC Sawgrass and then Prestwick in Scotland – that course has not changed in 100 years, but there are ancient holes; it\u00b4s a very special course.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Par-3 17th on TPC Sawgrass – one of Haukur \u00d6rn\u00b4s favorite golfcourses outside of Iceland<\/p><\/div>\n

What is the most unique golf course that you have played and why ?<\/em> The most unique ? I guess it\u00b4s Prestwick . There are so many strange and ancient holes and those have not changed. On one par- 3 hole there is for example a hill straight in front of the tee and a round sign pointing to where the putting surface is. Such holes are just not made \u200b\u200banymore today.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Haukur \u00d6rn felt Prestwick and the ancient holes there were some of the most special that he has played.<\/p><\/div>\n

What is your handicap ?<\/em> 3.9.<\/p>\n

What is your lowest score in golf and on what golfcourse did you achieve it?<\/em> My lowest score is one of 3 under par on Urri\u00f0a golfcourse, a 69 while the course was still par- 72 , but it is par -71 today. This was in August 2004, and the first time broke 70.<\/p>\n

What is your most major achievement to the present day in golf ?<\/em> (Here Haukur \u00d6rn is too modest when he said: \u201eI have almost accomplished nothing as agolfer. ” ) This is of course not correct – sufficient to point to the numerous lawyers Golf Championship, which he won \u00a0as the numerous trophys in is law office bear witness of.<\/p>\n

Have you ever had a hole in one (interview taken 2013) ?<\/em>\u00a0 I was going to have a hole in one this summer, but failed . Dad got one 4 times which irritates me alot although rejoice with him also, of course.<\/p>\n

Do you play golf in the winter time (in Iceland)?<\/em> Not really. Usually I do not start playing golf until the end of April and then quit \u00a0late September. My parents play lots of golf (during winter time) in Fl\u00fa\u00f0ir. I have a rule that I rather not play golf when the temperature is below 10 degrees Celcius.<\/p>\n

What snacks do you have in your bag?<\/em> Water, a banana and a golf protein bar.<\/p>\n

Have you participated in any other sports?<\/em> Yes, I practiced soccer in the junior league and handball and basketball with IR, Valur and Gr\u00f3tta (Icelandic teams).<\/p>\n

What is your favorite food?<\/em> \u00a0My favorite food is game<\/strong>; What is your favorite drink?<\/em> Appels\u00ednutoppur (Orange soda<\/strong>); What is your favorite music?<\/em> Rock<\/strong>; What is your favorite movie? “<\/em> The Empire Strikes Back<\/strong> “; What is your favorite book?<\/em> The one I’m reading at any given time and this time it’s “ The Greatest Game Ever Played<\/strong> ” by Mark Frost .<\/p>\n

Who is your favorite golfer – name one female and one male golfer golfer ?<\/em> Female : I was always a little impressed with Natalie Gulbis,\u00a0<\/strong>I watched her in the Solheim Cup in 2007, but I think my favorite is Annika S\u00f6renstam<\/strong> . Favorite male golfer : David Duval<\/strong> .<\/p>\n

\"\"

Haukur \u00d6rn President of the Icelandic Golf Union – Haukur \u00d6rn translates to Hawk Eagle<\/p><\/div>\n

Who\u00b4s in your dreamteam?<\/em> Me and …. David Duval<\/strong> , Tiger<\/strong> and my wife – given that she started playing golf .<\/p>\n

What’s in the bag and what is your favorite club ?<\/em> All my clubs are Titleist. My favorite is my 52\u00b0 Vokey wedge – I feel I can get the my best shots with it.<\/p>\n

Have you been to a golf teacher and taken golf lessons ?<\/em> Yes \u00a0my golf teachers have been Magnus Birgisson<\/strong> and Derrick Moore<\/strong> .<\/p>\n

Are you superstitious ?<\/em> No, generally not. But perhaps a bit; I mark my golfballs always the same and put them in the same position when I putt.<\/p>\n

What is your main goal in golf and in life ?<\/em> In golf , it’s to get a hole in one and become President of the Icelandic Golf Union – In life it is to be a good dad .<\/p>\n

What do you like best about golf ?<\/em> Companionship – getting a chance to spend 4-5 hours with friends.<\/p>\n

How high a percentage do you estimate the mental part of your golf to be ?<\/em> 80 % – My game depends entirely on how I’m feeling in each case.<\/p>\n

Finally : Do you have any good advice that you can give the rest of us ?<\/em> Watch the ball.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On November 23rd 2013, Haukur \u00d6rn Birgisson got elected President of the Icelandic Golf Union. \u00a0He had been adherent to the Union, first as an employee \u00a0and then on the board continously for almost a decade, the last 2 years as Vice President. In the past 5 years Haukur \u00d6rn has served as President of the Icelandic Golf Union he has proven himself and is very well liked. Icelandic golf has never been on such a high as last year, 2017. Last year it was announced and it came as no surprise that Haukur \u00d6rn was to become the President of the European Golf Union. Here is an older interview Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":82873,"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-85168","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","cat-7-id"],"acf":[],"views":4038,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85168","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=85168"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85168\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/82873"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=85168"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=85168"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.golf1.is\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=85168"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}