What sport do you do, and how long have you been doing it?
I play golf. I first ended up at the driving range in 2002, and in July of that same year I took a green card course.
What brought you to golf, how did you get into it?
The whole family started playing and I was “forced” to try it too. After that there was no need to ask a second time whether I was willing to come out to the course.
Do you have a rival in Estonia who is your biggest competitor both at home and elsewhere in the world?
In Estonia I am currently the only female professional golfer, and unfortunately no competitions aimed at pros are regularly held here at all. But we do have a few capable young girls who could compete and study at, for example, US universities in the future, and why not play professional golf.
Who is your biggest role model?
Swedish player Annika Sörenstam, who has since stepped back from top-level golf.
Where did you study, what is your educational background/experience?
In 2005 I graduated from Rocca al Mare School and then started my university studies at Tallinn University, majoring in English philology. A year later a good opportunity came up to go to America, to UCO (University of Central Oklahoma), where I studied for one academic year, and on returning home I enrolled at Audentes University to study Exercise and Sport. Because of my fast-paced life, I took a year of academic leave, and in autumn 2009 I finally decided to switch to Physical Culture at Tallinn University, which I also graduated from this spring.
Is golf more of a job or a hobby for you?
For me golf is a part of who I am, it’s a lifestyle. Since it’s my profession, you could say it’s work, but at the same time it’s also a game. I wouldn’t define it so strictly for myself. Everything I do right now is connected to golf, so golf is both a job and a hobby.
Since so little is known about golf, could you briefly explain the principles, structure, rules and so on of the game?
The idea of golf as a game is to get the ball into the hole in as few strokes as possible. A round consists of 18 holes of different lengths, obstacles and terrain, and depending on its length, each hole has to be completed in 3,4 or 5 strokes (par 3, 4 or 5). 72 strokes, or par, are allotted for completing the 18 holes. The fewer strokes you take, the better.
Top-level golf has changed enormously over the last few decades. Players are more athletic than before, and courses are constantly being built longer, because the average driving distance has grown noticeably thanks to good physical shape and advances in equipment.
How do you stay in shape?
Since autumn 2005 I have gone to the gym regularly. In winter 4 times a week and in summer, when possible, 2 times a week. Besides running, swimming and, in winter, skiing, I have also done other endurance sports. We definitely must not forget the importance of stretching exercises. I personally also enjoy yoga.
When you’re young, you should definitely do other sports alongside golf.
We know that an athlete has to follow very strict rules in both training and nutrition. What about top golfers? How do you eat, what can you allow yourself?
As for supplements, I have regularly taken omega-3, calcium and magnesium capsules. Over the past 1.5 months I have also added amino acids to my meals, to make sure my body gets everything it needs. In general, though, I try to eat as varied a diet as possible.
What are your goals for the future, which title are you chasing and what do you hope to achieve in the near term/future?
This year, to secure the right to play on the LPGA Futures Tour or the women’s European tour through qualifying competitions.
Are professional golfers born or made? What are the prerequisites and qualities of an ideal golfer?
If you look at the world’s best, there is no specific formula. Height, weight and age are not necessarily decisive at all. Take the last two men’s major tournaments, for example: the US Open was won by 22-year-old Rory McIlroy and the British Open by 42-year-old Darren Clarke. Talent that holds across all disciplines, together with hard work and a hunger to win, are definitely prerequisites.
Do you manage to do anything else alongside your golf career? How much of your time do you spend on golf? Does it interfere with your private life, or is it your private life?
There’s not much time left for anything else. Until this summer I was also studying at university alongside golf, but that is difficult too, and in hindsight I can say that both suffered, both athletic results and studies. In general, golf doesn’t interfere with or hinder my private life.
What does your typical training day look like?
A golf-only day: a light jog and warm-up exercises. On the practice range before a round: about 40 minutes of hitting balls to warm up, 10 minutes of chipping and 10 minutes of putting. 18 holes on the course (about 3.5 hours). Short game training: putting 1 hour, bunker shots 30 minutes, approach shots 30 minutes and chipping 30 minutes. In total 7 hours of pure training.
What would it take for the average Estonian to be more aware of top golfers too? Is the public’s lack of knowledge about this sport and its players a problem?
I believe it all simply takes time. Estonian golf is still too young; with each passing year the sport will get more coverage. A breakthrough into the world’s top by an Estonian would certainly help. But, for example, Delfi’s sports portal regularly publishes golf news, and the magazine “Golf” should also make sure information is available to everyone interested.
Where do you find your motivation and energy to keep moving forward?
From myself. I’m quite stubborn, and when I set myself a goal, I always want to give my maximum and I don’t let up until I’m completely sure I’ve given everything.
What is your worst habit?
I often leave things until the last minute. I overestimate how well I use my time and tend to plan too many things into one day, or even into a single hour, though I must admit that I do get everything important done. It would just be considerably easier and less nerve-wracking to do everything with a small time buffer.
How do you relax/rest? What does an ideal vacation need?
I rest by reading a good book, listening to music and spending time with friends.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
A teacher. When I was little, I often played school with my cousin.
Have you been athletic all your life, or did you only find sport together with golf?
I have done sports all my life. I started tennis at the age of seven and played it until I was 16. I have also done athletics, yoga, aerobics and similar training.
Is there also strong new talent coming up among Estonia’s top golfers?
Unfortunately there are few young people. There could be more. There are a few promising youngsters who take golf very seriously and show good results.
Would you recommend golf to people, and why? Would you recommend it as a way to have fun or for sporting purposes? What would you recommend to a beginner recreational golfer?
I’d rather recommend treating it as a pleasant and healthy way to spend time, because golf is very time-consuming. In Estonian conditions, unfortunately, it can’t be played year-round, so if you only play in summer, it’s hard to expect very good results. Of course, the competitive element is never absent from the game, because testing yourself and your emotions is guaranteed on every round.
Author:Turg.Fitness.ee
Come and train! ArtGym
