Isabell Ekstom enters the 2020-21 season as a two-time WGCA All-America Scholar, Big South all-conference and all-championship team member. Ekstrom, who won the 2018 Big South title as a freshman, owns the second-lowest career stroke average (73.55) in CU women's golf history. She has produced seven career top 10 finishes in 22 events.
Ekstrom recently took time from her schedule to chat with Campbell Athletics Communication student intern Josh Hetherington about her golfing background and other items.
Question: Tell me about where you grew up and what you would do on a daily basis growing up in Sweden; one day for summer and one for winter if you did different things?
Isabell Ekstrom: I grew up on the same place as my dad did, my grandpa's old farm land on the country side outside of Uppsala, which my dad and his brother later turned into a golf course which opened in 2004. One can basically say I grew up on a golf course, so during the summers I spent most of days out on the golf course, practicing and playing. The winters looked very similar but due to colder weather and occasional snow I went inside instead to practice.
Q: Where would be the coolest place to spend a weekend in Sweden?
IE: We have the world's first ice hotel located way up north in Sweden, at a place called Jukkasjärvi. That would be one thing I would highly recommend if one wants to do something rare and cool in Sweden.
Q: What has been the hardest thing about sitting out due to injury after coming off such a stellar freshman and sophomore year?
IE: The toughest thing was just not being able to play and travel with the team since that is what I am here to do. It was also a rough first couple of weeks since I was not able to do much due to an extreme pain and lack of range of motion in the neck. Overall, it was a very tough period of time for me with a nagging injury and very little golf, but I am glad to be back playing again and being able to spend time out on the golf course with the team.
Q: Do you have a driver's license back home and if so, what car do you drive?
IE: Yes, I have a license back home, but I do not have my own car so most of the time I borrow my dad's car and he just got an Audi RSQ3.
Q: You're very athletic, why golf?
IE: I have always loved all type of sports and I played soccer for 5 years, but I felt like I had the most to give when it came to golf, and I also thought golf was the most fun thing to do. It is a sport where one can always become better and that motivates me. Living on a golf course was also something that helped with making that decision to be honest.
Q: How has college improved your game as a golfer?
IE: Coming to college is probably the best thing I could have done for my golf game and myself as a golfer. College golf has really helped me with understanding the importance of just getting the ball in the hole, it does not have to be beautiful or perfect; you just have to find what works for that particular day, if it is a fade, play the fade. You are not just playing for yourself anymore, you have your teammates and your coaches that are counting on you to try your best to put up a good score. Being able to play and practice all year around on grass and competing against really good players at good courses is also something that has helped me improve my golf game.
Q: Do you aspire to play professionally? If so what is your plan to carry that dream out?
IE: My plan is to turn pro after college. I plan on moving back home to Sweden since I have some really good opportunities there with living on a golf course, having my swing coach as my neighbor, and my strength and conditioning coach nearby as well. I plan on starting out in Europe on the Swedish Tour and then try to get a card on the Ladies European Tour. I do it this way to see a little where my game is at after college. If I see that I am able to compete at a high level on those two tours, especially the LET, I plan on coming back to the US to try and get a card on the LPGA Tour.
Q: Would you rather have all traffic lights you approach be green, or never have to stand in line again?
IE: I would rather not to have to ever stand in line again. It is just worse to stand in a really long line, customs in the US for example, than to sit down in a car listening to some good music for a few minutes at worse.
Q: Would you rather have unlimited international first-class tickets or never have to pay for food at restaurants?
IE: I would rather not have to ever pay for food at restaurants. I would probably eat out way more often and I wound enjoy a good meal more than a first-class seat. Economy gets me from point A to B just as well.
Q: Would you rather move to a new city or town every week or never be able to leave the city or town you were born in?
IE I would rather never leave the city I was born in. I truly love Uppsala, it is just the right size and it has everything I want and need, and it is also where I have all my family and friends.
Rapid Fire Questions:
If you could be any animal what would it be and why?
Ekstrom: I would want to be a dolphin. I just think they are a really cool animal and I think it would be cool to live in the ocean.
What is one of the things you would put on your "bucket" list?
Ekstrom: Go to New Zealand
Who do you admire the most?
Ekstrom: My dad
What is your favorite summer activity?
Ekstrom: Go to my summer cabin up north in Sweden
If a movie was made of your life what genre would it be, and who would play you?
Ekstrom: Drama and I would be played by Jennifer Lawrence
What is your dream job?
Ekstrom: Golf Professional
Are you a morning or a night person?
Ekstrom: Neither, mid-day person
Isabell Ekstrom's Dream Golfer
Driving: Rory McIlroy
Iron Play: Henrik Stenson
Putting: Jason Day
Short Game: Phil Mickelson
Bunker Play: Rickie Fowler
Mentality: Brooks Koepka
