Ragnheiður Jónsdóttir | July. 9. 2012 | 23:00

Introducing: Elsa Valgeirsdóttir – Manager of the Westman Islands Golf Club

Elsa Valgeirsdóttir is the manager of the Westman Islands Golf Club, where one of Iceland´s most beloved golfcourses is situated. Yesterday the Icelandair Volcano Open, which is one of the main events of the Club  came to an end and the only consolation today is that we´re one day nearer to the next Volcano Open then yesterday, but this annual tournament will be held again in approximately 1 yrs. time – July 2013.  Golf 1 took a short interview with Elsa:

What is your name:  Elsa  Valgeirsdóttir.

Which Club are you a member of :   The Westman Islands Golf Club.

From the Westman Island golfcourse. Photo: Golf 1.

Where and when wee you born?   In Keflavík, September 27th 1955.

Where were you raised?  In Hafnir in the South.

Does anyone in your family play golf and if so who? I´m married and my husband and I both play golf and we have 2 children.

When did you start playing golf?  In 1985.

Why did you start playing golf? My husband and son both played golf.

What´s your occupation?  I´m the manager of the Westman Islands Golf Club.

Which one do you like more parkland courses og links style courses?  I like linkses more because they´re beautiful.

What do you prefer match play or stroke play?  Matchplay is more fun.

What is your favorite golfcourse in Iceland? The golfcourse of the Westman Islands Golf Club. The surroundings are unique and the nature is so unspoiled and natural. We had a couple of journalists from Golfing World, who were very impressed with the golfcourse, especially they liked the layout of the course and the helpfullness of Icelanders.  Here is a short video Golfing World made as a result of visiting Elsa and her wonderful Club, THE WESTMAN ISLANDS GOLF CLUB BY GOLFING WORLD

The Westman Islands golfcourse. Photo: eyjafrettir.is

What is your favorite golfcourse in the world apart from Iceland?  Pebble Beach. That course is great.

What is the most special course you have played on and why?  No one in particular.  All golfcourses are special. They are usually the best cared for  and maintained parts in each town. They also are in most cases good precedents in creating a heathy passtime for children and adolecents.

What is your handicap?  19,2.

What is your lowest score and on which golfcourse did you get it?  I think 84 on a golftrip to Orlando, Florida.

What is your longest drive?  I´ve got no idea.

What is your greatest achievement in golf to date?   To own as set of golfclubs – it´s constantly on loan though, everyone is borrowing it.  No that´s not it. I really don´t know what to say, but my son always tells me that he finds it strange that someone who doesn´t play well, such as I, nevertheless always comes home with the prizes!

Have you ever had a hole in one?  No.

What snack is always in your bag?   I always have alot of water with me on the course.

Have you participated in other sports?  No.

There is a little statute on the Westman Islands Golf Course by the so called Mormonpond – a pond where the first Icelanders were baptized to the Mormon faith. The date was May 5th 1851 and the Icelanders were a married couple Ragnhildur Stefánsdóttir and Benedikt Hannesson. The little statute was a gift given on June 30th 2000 from American Mormons in remembrance of Icelanders who moved from Iceland to Utah and became Mormons in 1854-1914, according to Elsa, who is absolutely the best guide when it comes to the Westman Islands golfcourse.

What is your favorite food, favorite drink, favorite music, favorite movie and favorite music?  My favorite food is fish ; my favorite drink is red wine my favorite music is anything with Queen and similar for example the Rolling Stones;  my favorite movie is Forest Gump  and finally my favorite book are all of Ólafs Jóhann´s books (Icelandic author).

Who are your favorite golfers name one male and one female golfer? Male: Tiger. Female: Jakobína Guðlaugsdóttir (By far the best female golfer ever to come from the Westman Islands – she was Icelandic Champion in stroke play 1970, 1972, 1973 and 1974.)

What is your dream foursome?  Me…. and three who play worse than I do! No, just kidding!!!

What´s in the bag and what is your favorite club?  I have 14 clubs in my bag and the ones I use the most are my 6-iron and 5-iron.

Have you been to a golfinstructor?  Yest, I´ve had lessons with Þorsteinn Hallgrímsson.

Are you superstitious?  Both yes and no.

What is your maingoal in golf and in life? To beat my son in golf – to better myself and others.

What do you like the best about golf?   Come to think of it, it´s really everything. It´s being able to excercise and everyone can compete at their own level achieving their own goals.  The best thing is that it´s a sport for individuals, who can do things at their own prerequisites.

How high in percentages is the mental side of your golf when you compete?   I always try to do better than the last stroke I hit. I don´t know the exact percentage but it´s high.

And at last: Do you have a good advice for other golfer?     To keep their head up (and down, depending) and look at the golfball.