Ragnheiður Jónsdóttir | December. 21. 2011 | 13:30

Introducing Icelandic golfer: Nökkvi Gunnarsson

Nökkvi Gunnarsson is a 35 year old PGA teaching pro at Nesklúbburinn in Seltjarnarnes. He participated in the OGA (Open Golf America) Tour in Florida and on the 4th day of the tournament, on December 20th 2011 he won with a score of 69. But also in Iceland he has won several tournaments despite being busy teaching, a.o. the prestigious Duel at Nes, on August 1st 2011 – An Invitational, where only the very best in Iceland compete against each other in a Shoot-out format.  Also memorable from last summer are Open Tournaments here in Iceland he participated in for example he played 36 holes in 2 tournaments on June 25th the Úrval-Útsýn tournament, where claimed 1st position and later that same day he competed with his brother, Steinn Baugur,  in a best ball tournament SKJÁR SKJÁR GOLF OPEN at the Golfclub Oddur in Garðabær, where they came in 2nd place.

But who is Icelandic golfer Nökkvi Gunnarsson? Golf 1 asked Nökkvi a quick 18 questions:

1. Golf 1: Nökkvi, where and when were you born? 

Nökkvi: I was born in Reykjavík (Capital of Iceland) on August 1st 1976.

 

2. Golf1: Where did you grow up?

Nökkvi: Here and there in Reykjavík and at Laugarvatn. When í was 9 yrs. old we moved to Seltjarnarnes and there I´ve lived with short-time exceptions. I lived in Norway 1982-1983 and then in Denmark 1998 -1999 and I was in Scotland 1994-1995. I was studying greenkeeping í Scotland and in Denmark I participated in„Verkstedkursus”, which is an intro in (golfcourse) architecture.

 

3. Golf 1: What is your family status? / Does anyone in your family play golf?

Nökkvi: I´m married to Ellen Rut Gunnarsdóttur and we have been together for 18 years, but have no children. Ellen just started playing golf this summer. Then my mother and the in-laws have recently taken to playing golf. My brother, Steinn Baugur is an excellent golfer and my sister, Helga Sveina Gunnarsdóttir, is starting to play. She´s started to hit a few balls and is on the waitinglist in our golfclub. (Nökkvi is member of Nesklúbburinn in Seltjarnarnes in Iceland, which has 640-650 members and there are currently 340 waiting to be accepted as members).

4. Golf 1: When did you start playing golf?  

Nökkvi: In 1990 (I was 14 yrs old).

 

5. Golf 1: Why did you start playing golf?

Nökkvi:  I got a job, working on the golfcourse in Nesklúbburinn, Seltjarnarnes.

 

6. Golf 1: What is your occupation?

7. Golf 1: What do you prefer, playing on a parkland or links style course?

Nökkvi: I prefer playing on a parkland style course, since the weather is usually better there, i.e. it´s less windy.

 

8. Golf 1: Which do you prefer, match or stroke play?

Nökkvi: Strokeplay. For me, that´s golf  – not match play.

 

9. Golf 1: What is your favorite golfcourse in Iceland, what is your favorite golfcourse anywhere else in the world except for Iceland and what is the most unique golfcourse you have played and why?

Nökkvi: My favorite golfcourse in Iceland is the golfcourse in the Westmanna Islands. My favorite one anywhere else in the world, oh here´s the paradox beause it´s a links, it is Carnoustie in Scotland i.e. of the ones I´ve already played. I would love to play Augusta in Georgia. The most unique golfcourse I´ve played would be a golfcourse in Scotland which is built into a hill and most of the shots on th fairways ended in difficult side hill lies. It´s a very special course – I played it when I was studying in Scotland.

 

10. Golf 1: What is your handicap and what is the lowest score and on what golfcourse did you achieve it?

Nökkvi: My handicap in golf is 1. My lowest score is a 66 which I´ve gotten 3 times in Hella (at the GHR golfclub in Hella, Iceland) and twice on Hvaleyrin (at the Golfclub Keilir in Hafnarfjörður, Iceland).

 

11. Golf 1: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement in golf to this date?

Nökkvi: (My victory at the OGA yesterday) and to win the Duel on Nes (called Einvígið á Nesinu in Icelandic – an annual Shootout tournament where some of the best Icelandic golfers compete against each other).

 

12. Golf 1: What is your favortite food and drink, music you listen to, book and movie?

Nökkvi:  My favorite food is lamb; my favorite drink water; favorite music? I like slow ballads and euro-pop; My favorite movie?: It keeps changing, I guess I´ll just go with American Collegemovies and my favorite book is „Plain Truth for Golfers Masterclass” by Jim Hardy… it´s a very good book and also„Golf is a game of Confidence.”

 

Nökkvi: I usually have a banana, an energy drink and a Corny bar.

 

14. Golf 1:  Who is your favorite golfer name 1 male and 1 female?

Nökkvi: My favorite female golfer would be the two Helgas at Nesklúbburinn, they are young girls with huge potential. My favorite male golfer is Phil Mickelson.

 

15. Golf 1: Are you superstitious?

Nökkvi: No.

 

16. Golf 1: What´s in your bag and what is your favorite club?

Nökkvi: Driver: TaylorMade R11 pro lunch with 75 gr. extra stiff shaft ; R11 3 tree with Ripp 75gr x shaft; 18° TaylorMade hybrid, 3-PW Taylormade MC Tour Prefered with Riffle 6,0 shafts and Taylormade TP xFT 54° og 58° wedges and a Yes putter I wear Ecco golfshoe, my golfbag is Ecco aswell as my gloves. I even use Ecco tee.  The golfballs that I use are from TaylorMade. My favorite club is the 7-iron, but that changes sometimes it´s the driver sometimes the wedge, depending on weather my swing is steep or flat at the time.

 

17. Golf 1: What do you like the most about golf?

Nökkvi: That everyone can participate and play golf together.

 

18. Golf 1:  What are your goals in golf and in life in general?

Nökkvi: In golf it´s first and foremost to improve the thoughtprocess  and in life to be a good rolemodel and do some good.