A push to improve caused Cajsa Persson to move all the way from Sweden to Ames in order to take her game to the next level.

The ISU women’s golf team added Persson as the single new player on its roster this year on a team consisting primarily of veteran players.

It is her first year at Iowa State coming all the way Jönköping, Sweden to be part of the ISU women’s golf team.

Persson was introduced to Iowa State by an advisor she had in Sweden. She was drawn in by what the school had to offer for her golf game.

“When I came here on my visit, everything felt so good; the team was so amazing, the coach was so nice, and the facility was good,” Persson said.

Persson listed the school’s facilities, team and coaches as her primary reason for choosing Iowa State over other schools in the United States. She also believed that Iowa State could really improve her golf game.

Punpaka Phuntumabamrung, a senior member of the ISU golf team, commended Persson on her strong start and said that she has already begun to notice the improvement.

“She’s the type of person who can really hit the ball far; that gives her a great advantage. Her short game is also getting a lot better. I’m so excited for her and to see her play at the next tournament.” Phuntumabamrung said.

Persson has also seen improvement in her game since moving to Ames and working with the ISU golf coaches Christie Martens and Pina Gentile.

She took note that her game has become “steadier” and “more even” since she began playing at Iowa State. She has been working hard to improve her short game and her overall play around the green.

Although, Persson said that golf is an equally large sport back in Sweden, Iowa State and college golf has offered a new level of competition that has pushed her to work harder.

“[The biggest difference] is the quality. The winners are just a little bit better here.” Persson said.

This higher level of competition inspired Persson to push herself harder to improve, a concept that Persson has been working to achieve since she started playing golf when she was only seven or eight years old.

Persson’s father got her started with golf, but the friends she made on the course pushed her to compete. Persson said that the friends she made through golf always “pushed each other to improve.”

Teammate Prima Thammaraks expressed that this is still an idea Persson contributes to the team.

Thammaraks said that Persson can be very inspiring, mature, and full of positive energy. This energy and inspiration pushes players to work hard even though she is the youngest member of the team.

“I’m really glad to work with her,” Thammaraks said.

The ability to constantly push her and her teammates is what Persson enjoys most about golf. There is always a chance to improve and push harder.

“[Golf] is always a new experience, you can always be better,” Persson said.