Ragnheiður Jónsdóttir | May. 16. 2012 | 21:45

Introducing Icelanders who play on US College Golf Teams no. 5: Ólafur Björn Loftsson

Ólafur Björn Loftsson is Icelandic Champion in Stroke Play 2009.  He is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and plays golf with the Charlotte 49´s.  Tomorrow he and and the 49´s will compete in the 2012 NCAA Greensboro Regional, May 17-19 at the East Course; Grandover Resort. Golf 1 will of course follow every move Ólafur Björn and the Niners make in the tournament closely.

In Iceland Ólafur Björn is member of the Golf Club of Nes or as we say in Icelandic, Nesklúbburinn.  He was also the first Icelander to compete in a tournament on the PGA Tour at the Wyndham Championship in North-Carolina on August 14th 2011 and has been hard-working in introducing Iceland and Icelandic golf as you can for example see in this videoclip, click HERE:

Ólafur Björn was so kind to answer the following questions in an interview with Golf 1:

What is your name?: Ólafur Björn Loftsson.

What Golf Club do you belong to in Iceland: The Golf Club of Nes or Nesklúbburinn.

Where and when were you born?  In Reykjavík, August 5th 1987.

Where were you raised?   In the West End of Reykjavík.

What is your family status and does anyone in your family play golf?  I have an older sister, who has yet to begin playing golf.  Both my parents are fierce golfers.

When did you start playing golf?  I started taking it seriously when I was 12 years old.

Why did you start playing golf?  My parents introduced me to the game, I went with them on the golfcourse and in the end it sparked an interest that hasn´t dwindled till this day.

What is your occupation?/ if you´re a student what are you studying?   I am finishing my studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and I´ll graduate in May with a degree in finance.

How was it getting used to the US and what surprised you the most there? It went well adjusting to life here. What surprised me the most was the way Americans can be, dramatic and ungenuine, but I soon realized that it was just a minor cultural difference.

What do you like the most about the US? The facilities to play golf.

What´s a  normal day like for you in Charlotte? I wake up early, go to the gym, school and golf untill dark. 

Is there a difference in the golfcourses in the States and here in Iceland? There is certainly a great difference in the golfcourses. The facilities differ alot. There are many great golfcourses in Iceland , but terrific weather all year round and huge amounts of money makes for that the golfcourses in the US are on a whole different level.

What do you prefer parkland or links type course? It suits my game to play on narrow parkland courses but nothing compares to playing an enjoyable links.

What do you prefer match play or stroke play? Most tournaments are in the stroke play format but there is always a special feeling and fun to play in a match play format. I have difficulties making a choice between the two.

What are your favorite golfcourses in Iceland?  The golfcourse at Keilir (the Hvaleyri golfcourse), Grafarholt golfcourse at the Golf Club in Reykjavik, the Vestmanna Islands golfcourse and of course my home course  Nesvöllur at the Golf Club of Nes (Nesklúbburinn).

What is your favorite golfcourse anywhere in the world? It keeps changing rather fast but I like Quail Hollow here in Charlotte.

What is your handicap?  +2,9

What is your lowest score and on which golfcourse did you achieve it?  61 strokes at the Nes golfcourse.

What is your longest drive?  For certain some drive at home in Iceland with alot of tail wind.

What is your greatest achievement in golf to this date?  When I won the Cardinal Amateur last summer along with my subsequent participation on a tournament on the PGA Tour .

Have you ever scored a hole in one?  Yes, once. On the 15th hole in round 1 at the A10 Regionals at College golf last year.

What snack do you have in the bag?  Depends. My mother has often made great sandwiches for me. But one can always find bananas and energy bars in my bag.

Have you participated in any other sports?  I have participated in most ball sports since I´m a great sports fan. I practiced for example soccer, basketball and European handball when I was younger.

What is your favorite food, favorite drink, favorite music, favorite movie and favorite book? My favorite food is rib-eye steak á la my parents. My favorite drink is mineral water. I listen to and watch different types of music and movies, I like comedies, for example Anchorman. It´s difficult to mention only one book, at the moment it is the one I´m reading A Good Walk Spoiled. 

What´s in the bag, what is your favorite club and why is that club your favorite one?   Taylor Made Rocketballz Driver 9°Diamana 60 S-flex, TM Rocketballz 14,5°;  3 tree Diamana 80 S-flex, TM Hybrids 18°, 22°, 25° gFujikura Motore 80 S-flex, TM MC Forged 6-9 irons Dynamic Gold S300, 48°,54°,58°,64° TM Spin Milled wedges Dynamic Gold S300 . Ping Anser 4 putter. Titleist ProV1 balls and Titleist gloves. My favorite club is my 64° lob-iron.

Have you been to a golfinstructor?  Yes.

Are you superstitious? No.

What is your maingoal in golf and life?  To become the best and enjoy life.

What do you like the best about golf?  That there is always something new that awaits the golfers every single time on the golfcourse.

How large a percentage do you estimate that the mental side of your game is when you compete?  That´s difficult to answer, but the mental side is very important.

At last: Do you have some good advice that you can give golfers? Try to enjoy playing golf.