BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Annelie Sjoholm had two career goals growing up in Sweden.  Campbell University helped her reach one directly and another in an indirect way.
 
A two-time Big South golfer of the year and Big South All-Decade team member, Sjoholm was the first in the latest group of Scandinavian standouts to choose Campbell for its academics and athletics program.
 
By the time she graduated with honors in 2018, she was able to count four conference team titles, three all-conference honors and a trio of WGCA All-America Scholar awards among her memorabilia collection.
 
She went to compete at the highest level of professional golf in Europe before pursuing her second goal – becoming a physician.
 
Athletic and academic scholarships at Campbell provided Sjoholm with the opportunity to chase those dreams across the Atlantic Ocean from her home in Vasteras.
 
"My scholarship made it possible for me to come to the States to play college golf," said Sjoholm.  "Without my scholarships, I would not have been able to come to the States. I was very fortunate that Coach (John) Crooks trusted in me and let me be part of his team."
 
The generosity of Fighting Camel fans, alumni, family, and friends truly makes a difference in the lives of student-athletes at Campbell University.  Through the newly created Women's Empowerment Fund, the Fighting Camel Club's goal is to make that experience even better, specifically for our female student-athletes.  To join the Fighting Camel Club, click here.
 
An early start
"Annie" admits that golf wasn't a love at first sight undertaking when she started accompanying her family members to the course at a young age.
 
"I found golf, quite boring, to be honest, but when I started first grade, some of my classmates started playing," she recalls.  "Then when both my family and friends were on the course, I figured I had to give it a shot."
 
Often playing along with her twin brother, Tobbe, Annie discovered that she loved to compete, and her game developed.  She also participated in soccer, handball, and horseback riding, but at the age of 13 she directed her focus entirely on golf.
 
The golf season in Sweden lasts only from April to September, but Annie's talent enabled her to secure one of eight places in her class at the Swedish national golf high school.  So, at the age of 15, she moved to Ljungbyhed, a small town of about 2,000 residents where she studied economics and began intense golf training.
 
While she as at Ljungbyhed, she not only discovered that she could further her education and golfing career overseas, but she also met Jocke Carlsson, who became – and still is almost 15 years later – her boyfriend.
 
"I wrote letters to a lot of coaches in the States and printed them out on colorful paper to draw attention to them," she recalls.  "I got a reply from Coach (Crooks), we exchanged emails, and then I asked him, 'can I come visit you next week?'  I didn't give him a big heads up."
 
The fact that Buies Creek is similar in size to the town where she was studying and the fact that Keith Hills Golf Club is located just across Highway 421 from the main campus appealed to Sjoholm from the start.  The mild climate, which allowed her to practice and compete throughout the academic year was also a factor in her decision-making process.
 
She also connected easily with Crooks, who had already established himself as one of the nation's best collegiate coaches.
 
"Coach really made me feel confident in his ability to make you a better player," said Sjoholm.
 
Having already spent several years away from home while attending the National Golf School made her transition to college life easier.
 
Oddly enough, there were no Scandinavian players on either the Campbell men's or women's team when Annie arrived in Harnett County in August 2014.  That fact seems hard to believe given that over the last decade 14 different Campbell golfers who hail from Sweden, Norway or Finland, have been honored as conference golfer of the year or rookie of the year 19 times.
 
"When I visited Campbell, there were no Swedish players on the team, so I thought that's good so I can force myself to practice (speaking) English," said Annie.  "Then Coach recruited a lot of Swedish players. I loved having other Swedish players on the team!"
 
Current PGA Tour member Jesper Svensson arrived in Buies Creek in the fall of 2015 and won Big South freshman of the year honors before twice earning the golfer of the year award.  On the women's side, Desiree Andersson followed Annie from the National Golf School to Buies Creek and claimed league freshman of the year recognition in 2017, the same year Annie won the first of her two Big South golfer of the year trophies.
 
"Desi and I went to the same high school, and that was a comfort to her that she knew someone here," said Sjoholm.  "Then the word spread that (Campbell) was a good school with great possibilities.  Now when you talk to golf people in Sweden, everyone has heard of Campbell.  Ten years ago, not many had heard of Campbell."
 
Overcoming a slow start
Annie finished as runner-up in her first collegiate event – the Xavier Intercollegiate at LPGA International – but only competed in four tournaments for the 2015 team, a veteran bunch that included seniors Brooke Bellomy and Lisbeth Brooks and reached the NCAA National Championship for a second-straight year.
 
Adapting to Bermuda grass and overcoming nerves when Crooks was watching closely contributed to what Annie described as a rollercoaster ride of a season.
 
"I was afraid I would lose my scholarship because I performed so poorly, but Coach saw some potential and wanted me to stick around," said Annie.  "I worked hard on my game in the summer (of 2015) in Sweden between my freshman and sophomore year.  I came out a little more consistent as a player."
 
As a sophomore, Sjoholm earned the first of three Big South all-conference awards, was runner up in the Big South Championship and finished in the top 20 at the NCAA Bryan (Texas) Regional.  She and Crooks also came to an understanding that he was not going to be able to avoid her on the course.

"We talked and he told me that we had to figure out a way for him to be around because he said, 'I want to watch you play golf.'  I knew I had to get over it," she said.  "By my third year, I was more comfortable.  When he was around more, I could really see his knowledge and it was a big help to my game."
 
During her junior season (2016-17), Annie won her first collegiate title – the Amelia Island Collegiate (70-71-69), earned another top five finish at the Big South Championship, and competed in the Albuquerque Regional.  She led the league in stroke average and was presented with the Big South golfer of the year award.
 
As a senior, she finished among the top five golfers six times and earned a second-straight league golfer of the year honor.  Annie sat out the 2018 Big South Championship due to a back ailment, but the Camels won a fifth-straight team title, and she capped her collegiate career with a trip to the NCAA Madison (Wis.) Regional.
 
"My hope was just to be part of the team," Annie recalls.  "Then I was very fortunate my sophomore year to play for the team.  From there, both my ambitions and goals grew bigger.  Coach really helped me with my mental game. He made me believe in my own golf game. He would always find something positive to build on."
 
Best memories
Winning the Amelia Island Collegiate was a moment Annie still cherishes.  However, the opportunity to build lifelong friendships stands out even more.
 
"Traveling to all the tournaments together, that's something I really missed playing professional golf, always having a team backing you up," said Annie.  "Always having someone to practice with, either on the men's or women's team."
 
Building relationships with students and teammates from all over the U.S. and the world along with growing her golf game made Annie's time at Campbell truly special.
 
 "I'm still in contact with Anna (Svanka)," said Sjoholm.  "Campbell gave me a lot of time management (skills), finding time for everything and that's very useful now as well. I'm very grateful for those four years at Campbell and everything Coach taught me."
 
The next step
Annie turned professional right after college and played in her first pro event in Finland on the Ladies European Tour (LET) Access tour.  In the fall of 2018, she earned her first professional victory on the Swedish tour at the Slite Open.
 
She went to LET Q-school in Morocco and played on the LET Access Tour in 2019.  She won the Anna Nordqvist Västerås Open on her home course in front of a large group of family and friends. 
 
"When I played college golf, Coach once told me and Desi that we always started every tournament with a bogey," said Annie.  "That's how I started that tournament as well.  A few holes later, I made (another) bogey.  After 4-5 holes, my mom (Magdalena) called my dad (Stefan) to tell him that I wasn't playing well.  But three days later, I finished birdie, birdie, birdie to win by one shot.  There was a big crowd of people I knew growing up. A lot of members came up to congratulate me and they had tears in their eyes."
 
After the 2019 season, Annie returned to Q-school and earned partial status on the Ladies European Tour, but the following spring, the Covid pandemic hit and halted most international travel.  It was during that time that Annie began entertaining thoughts about what to do when her competitive golfing career came to an end.
 
Back to school
A wrist injury during 2021 made Annie's decision to return to school easier.  A business administration major at Campbell, Annie had to pass a series of examinations to gain entry to Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.
 
Now in the fourth of six years in medical school, Annie has her eyes set on entering the field either as a general practitioner or emergency room doctor.  However, she doesn't have to make that decision for a couple more years after she earns her certificate and completes her residency.
 
She still finds time to get out for a round of golf with Jocke and admits to missing the routine of practice and competition, but with a pro career that yielded two victories, her focus is now on her second dream.
 
"Campbell was home for four years," said Sjoholm.  "All the people at Campbell are like a family, looking out for each other."
 
Q&A with Annelie Sjoholm:
 
Best golf advice: Keep it simple.
 
Golf heroes: I had no role model in the game when I grew up except my twin brother (Tobbe).
 
Favorite course: Red Sky GC (Colorado)
 
Toughest course I've played: Evian Resort GG (France)
 
My ideal 4-some: Jocke Carlsson, Anna Diana Svanka, Tiger Woods