I was incredibly proud to represent Sweden at the European Girls' Team Championship 2020 in Slovakia, and to win the silver medal after tough matches with Russia, Switzerland and Germany.

Maia Samuelsson

When winning your first college tournament, Kiawah Island Class, you recorded 8 birdies on the final round to score 66. What was the key to that great score?

My phenomenal iron play. I have never hit so many irons that close to the pin during one round and all my birdie putts were within 12 feet. 

Which event do you remember most from your first year as a college golfer?

The competition in Kiawah Island, SC, a resort with five golf courses that have hosted  the Ryder Cup, World Cup, PGA Championship och a number of other big events. The competition was held on golf courses Oak Point and Osprey Point, which was almost like a zoo without fences. In the beginning of our practice round, we stopped to take selfies with the alligators. But we soon discovered that there were gators on almost all holes. Some were sun bathing next to the greens and fairways, and we counted to 9 alligators in the pond by the club house.

What shots do you like the most?

I really like long irons, and especially my 4-iron, but also pitching between 40-100 yards. .

Which round is most memorable out of the junior competitions you have played?

My second place finish in the Skandia Cup Final in 2017. I was seven shots behind the leader going into the final round. I played remarkable golf and shot 67, -5. This score was good enough for a play-off, but a mistake with the score card put me one shot behind the leader.
It is my responsibility to check the score card, and I did not see that my marker had written a par instead of a birdie on the 17th hole. I know rule number 6, so my round was registered as 68. It was a tough lesson to learn, and I was devastated at the time. I am convinced it will be beneficial in the future, as I am now very careful checking my score card. I also learned at this competition that I am capable of shooting low scores during important events.


What is it like to compete against boys during the winter?

I usually only have boys to compete and practice with during the winter. In Portugal, boys and girls compete together in one class based on age instead of gender, and it is frustrating that the slope rating is usually much higher from the women's back-tees than the men's back-tees, and that I have much longer shots into the greens. However, I have decided to focus on the fact that events like these will make me stronger. My experiences have made me motivated to fight against discrimination in golf and life.


You have represented Team Värmland and the junior team for Karlstad golfklubb during the summers in Sweden. What has that experience been like?

The best! Some of the highlights from every summer I have spent in Karlstad. I love to share success, high fives and fist pumps. We have had amazing team spirit and so much fun, which definitely was a contributing factor when we won Länskampen and other matches. Almost all my close friends are golfers. Some are team mates and others are competitors. We keep in touch via social media. We encourage each other to practice and get better.


Why did you want to play college golf?

There were two specific events. I went with my mother to University of Tennessee in Knoxville when she was inaugurated into the Lady Vol Hall of Fame. The actual ceremony took place during a football game. I remember a sea of orange and the amazing atmosphere. I also met lots of other athletes, athletic department staff and coaches. Later, I went with my parents to the NCAA finals a the Concessions in Florida to watch the Lady Vols play in the finals. I saw the teams playing, practicing, eating , joking, laughing and having a good time. I also saw the team bags, team clothing and even matching trolleys. I decided then and there that this was something that I hoped to one day be a part of.


Both your parents are PGA professionals. Were you destined to become a golfer?

On the contrary! When I grew up, I spent a lot of time at the differnt clubs where my parents were head professionals. While they were working, I mostly enjoyed picking up balls on the range. I used to sit next to their staff in the cart going up and down the range and watching the basked fill up with balls, but I rarely practiced myself. There was a room above the pro shop where I used to watch dvd films, and play with my toys. I occasionally played nine holes with my parents, but not even I expected that I would really enjoy golf one day. I realize that I have been fortunate to have two parents that have taught me the basics already when I was young. It helped me progress very quickly the day I started practicing seriously. My parents are my number one coaches, and it is practical to get technical advice and support from the persons that know me best.


How come you were enrolled in an online high school?

I started school in Spain when I was three. When I was seven, I changed to a private catholic school for girls. I left home at 8 o'clock in the morning and came home at 6 o'clock in the evening. In addition, I had homework every day, every weekend and during all school holidays. I trained gymnastics three days a week, but there was no time for anything else.
We moved to Portugal in 2015. My parents decided that it was too much to learn and study a fourth language. We researched many options, and decided to attend an American private online high school. It was first when I started high school that I had time to practice and play golf.