Story by Sarah Combs, Assistant Sports Editor

Moa Folke, sophomore from Tranas, Sweden, is an up and coming force in the OVC. Folke improved eight spots in just a year, finishing eighth her freshman year and recently snagging the OVC Champion title this 2015-16 season. Folke had the opportunity to sit down with The Murray State News a week after her win and offered a glimpse inside the world of a champion – what makes her tick, where she developed her love for the game and her plans for future OVC Championships.

Q. Can you tell me a little bit about how you got started golfing?

I was about eight years old and my dad took me to the golf course because he played, and I just thought it was fun. I was spending a lot of time with my dad and we always had these fights when he would try to teach me something, you know – you never want to listen to your parents.  I’m really grateful that he took me out there.

Q. Did your dad work with you a lot growing up?

When I was really young, he did. I’ve always practiced a lot, but then I had coaches at my local club, too. When I got older and they saw I was better, they started helping a lot, too.

Q. At what age did you notice that you were more advanced than other kids your age?

I have always been able to hit it really far, but when I was younger, I could not hit it straight. I was always in the trees and in the water so I never really posted good scores but people could see that I had that talent and if I worked hard I could be really good.

Q. Is there any coach that really impacted your game?

Yeah, both of my coaches at home. I went to golf high school and he really helped me there but also my coach that I have back home that’s on the golf club in my hometown.

Q. You said you went to a golf high school, can you explain what that is?

We don’t have any high school teams, but they have some high schools who have different sports that they offer, but only a few. They didn’t have a golf team, we don’t compete as a team, we just practice together.

Q. Do you have anything else about your golf journey that you would like to share?

I feel like I’ve always had a lot of support from my parents and family. They are the reason I could go here. It’s a big step, moving away from home to come to the U.S. just to play golf. Then also coaches at home have always believed in me that I could do big things.

Q. Do you have any brothers or sisters? Do they play golf?

I have two older sisters. They don’t play golf. One of my older sisters always ran track, so my parents tried to make me do track and field. I hated it. I went like twice and I left crying so I never did that. I think that’s why my dad was like ‘OK, she doesn’t like track and field so maybe she should do golf.’

Q. Is there any certain brand of equipment you prefer to use?

All I play is Titleist, all of my golf clubs […] are Titleist. I’m not sponsored, it’s just what I play.

Q. What are you hoping to accomplish during your last two years of Murray State golf?

Win some more tournaments – I’ve already won two. This spring has been fantastic for me so I just hope to continue that and then hopefully next spring we can win the OVC as a team. We came in as a really young team this year. Hopefully next year we will be more experienced.