Freshman golfer Madelene Sagstrom arrived at LSU in 2011 as one of the top Swedish golfers and one of the most highly sought-after recruits in the country. So it came as no surprise that she turned in top-tier performances in her first fall as a Lady Tiger.
Sagstrom posted top-20 finishes in two of four tournaments the Lady Tigers competed in this fall. Her greatest achievement came in October at the Tar Heel Invitational in Chapel Hill, N.C., where she led LSU to an overall team victory. Sagstrom tied for fifth at the tournament with a 7-under-par 209.
Sagstrom’s natural abilities caught the eye of senior Tessa Teachman early in the season.
“She came out and was instrumental in our first event,” Teachman said. “It was great seeing a freshman do that.”
Though Teachman and other team members praise Sagstrom’s efforts, she said she’s thrilled just having the opportunity to play on an American team.
“I always wanted to go to the United States to play,” Sagstrom said. “It’s always been the place to be if you want to make something of yourself.”
Before coming to LSU, Sagstrom was No. 7 overall in the Swedish women’s rankings and was named Athlete of the Year by her high school in 2010.
With all her accolades, she was a hot commodity for college golf teams across the U.S., but her decision to attend LSU was a no-brainer.
“When I made my first visit to LSU, I knew that this was the place to be,” Sagstrom said. “I love it here.”
Sagstrom said she expects a lot from herself individually in her college career, but she ranks team victories higher on her list of priorities.
Sagstrom’s skills on the course aren’t her only characteristics that alleviate stress for the team, Teachman said.
“She’s hard on herself, but she’s always the one smiling at the end of the day,” Teachman said. “She’s funny and always keeps us laughing, which is important.”
Sagstrom said she will return to Sweden for winter break, and she doesn’t expect to do much practicing due to the country’s freezing weather.
But that doesn’t mean she won’t be exercising and brushing up on her game.
“I want to be in shape when everything starts back up in the spring,” Sagstrom said.
She said she also plans to visit her old coach to discuss her fall performances and possible changes she should make.
Sagstrom and the rest of the Lady Tigers will kick off the spring season in Rio Grande at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic on Feb. 12.
 
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Contact Morgan Wampold at [email protected].