Fire On Ice

- Rohit BhaRdwaj

OlafiaThorunn Kristinsdottir is a professional golfer who plays on the Ladies European Tour (LET). Interestingly, she hails from Iceland which most of us will not perceive as a golfing nation. Guess again. It’s ripe for golf with 65 courses across the country! Most of which are situated in the southern region.

Ice cover for 6-8 months has not stopped the Icelandic sensation from dreaming of a victory on the world stage. The 22-year-old became the first female golfer from Iceland to earn an LPGA Tour card recently after finishing second in the final Qualifying School with a five-round total of 12-under 348, a stroke behind eventual winner Jaye Marie Green of USA.

“I am really happy and proud to be the first Icelander on the LPGA. Fun times ahead and a lot of learning!” wrote the Wake Forest University graduate (with a major in Economics) in a text message.

She started playing golf at the age of 10 with inspiration from father Kristinn Josep Gislason, an engineer, and mother Elisabet Maria Erlendsdottir, a homemaker. Being the youngest among five siblings, she enjoyed great support from brothers Kristinn Jr and Alfred, both of whom also caddied for her since she began playing big events. Alfred also played for the Icelandic national team.

Olafia had a successful amateur career before turning professional in September 2014. She was the national champion in 2011 and 2014 and was the Iceland Golfer of the Year in 2014.

The lanky beauty from Reykjavik ended in 14th place on the 2015 LET Access Series Order of Merit, earning herself an exemption to final stage of the Lalla Aicha LET Qualifying School, where she finished tied 25th to earn playing rights on the LET.