Summer’s almost over but it seems that Anne Normann of Denmark has taken advantage of the warm months on the course. The 18-year-old kicked off her summer at the German Girls Open where she finished in the top-20. Making her second appearance in the ANNIKA Invitational Europe at the end of June, Normann put on an impressive performance with rounds of 72-68-68 to finish solo second. Most recently, she finished T2 in the Danish National Stroke Play Championship. We caught up with Anne last week and she answered some questions about her junior career so far, life outside of golf and what she has planned for the future.
What is your favorite food?
All Italian foods; I love pasta and pizza.
If you could have one super power, what would it be?
To be able to travel in time - I sure have some moments I’d like to relive.
What is your biggest fear?
Maybe not my biggest fear, but I really don’t like spiders. They freak me out.
Who is your favorite golfer?
Anne Van Dam - she has the best swing and an awesome attitude. (And a good name)
What is your favorite movie?
The Proposal or The Blind Side - I think Sandra Bullock is hilarious.
What is your favorite holiday and why?
Skiing vacation (I’m snowboarding) - I love the combination of a good vacation with sport and activities.
How do you spend your free time outside of golf?
I spend most of my time with friends and also playing other sports.
Who is your biggest role model and why?
I’m quite inspired by some of the bigger athletes who have had huge success despite a difficult background, people like Pelé and Michael Oher. Inside the game of golf, Annika is my biggest role model.
Do you have any hidden talents? If so, what are they?
I don’t know if it’s a hidden talent, but I played basketball for seven years when I was younger, so I have some ball handling skills.
What is your greatest memory of playing golf so far?
I had the opportunity to play nine holes with the Danish Crown Prince while I was in Argentina at the Youth Olympic Games. It was quite the experience.
How/Why did you start playing golf?
I started at a pretty late age, when I was 12. My mom had just started playing and I went and joined her a couple of times - I was completely hooked instantly.
What was your favorite golf tournament you have played in so far?
I have played the European Team Championship twice in 2018 and 2019. It’s definitely one of the most fun weeks of the year, playing as a team. And this year my team won the gold medal, which was completely unbelievable and something I won’t forget.
Do you have any advice to give to aspiring female golfers who are just starting to play the game?
Just have fun with it. Play lots of games as a way to make practice more fun.
What is one thing not many people know about you?
I’m not a very ‘girly girl’ - I’ve always socialized best with the boys and had a lot of guy friends.
Congratulations on finishing 2nd in the ANNIKA Invitational Europe. What was your favorite part of the week? What was the biggest takeaway from the week?
I’ve played the event the past two years and I think it’s great. I love the seminars and dinners and the clinic - it’s very social and while you have a lot of fun, you also learn a thing or two.
What do you think golf has taught you outside of the actual skills to play the game?
I think I have learned to manage tough situations and deal with nerves. Something that has been very useful off the course as well.
Why do you think other young girls should learn how to play golf?
Golf has given me so much joy and so many experiences I wouldn’t have had without it. I think more girls should play golf, whether it’s on a highly competitive level with lots of tournaments or just playing for the fun of it. I think everyone could gain something from playing.
Anne’s summer isn’t over yet as she competes in Scotland this week for the British Girls Amateur Championship. As a European golfer, we asked Anne what she thought could be done to continue growing the game outside of the U.S. “I think mostly awareness of the game,” she said. “I think most young people have a stereotypical picture of golf as an old-man-sport and not something they would want to play.” We couldn’t agree with Anne more that golf is so much more than that. It’s why we’re so devoted to the work of the ANNIKA Foundation and its mission to introduce the game and its many benefits to young people around the world. Best of luck to Anne this week in Scotland, and thanks for being our August Featured Player!