Oklahoma State University Athletics
Catching Up With Caroline Hedwall
November 12, 2014 | Cowgirl Golf
Success early and often is nothing new to former Oklahoma State standout Caroline Hedwall.
In just two seasons at OSU, she positioned herself as the most decorated player in program history. The Loddekopinge, Sweden native captured All-America honors during both seasons and was twice named the Big 12 Player of the Year. Hedwall won her first-ever collegiate event en route to being named the 2009 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.
As a sophomore, she won five times, capping her career with the NCAA individual title and national player of the year honors.
In her first season as a professional, Hedwall produced more of the same. Winning her professional debut at the New South Wales Open. Four Ladies European Tour victories would follow before she became the first player in LET history to win the player and rookie of the year awards in the same season.
Hedwall was part of the European Solheim Cup squad that season, producing a 2-1-1 mark. In 2013, more history followed as she became the first player in the history of the event to win all five points from five matches, starring for the first European squad to win the event on U.S. soil.
The former Cowgirl recently returned to Stillwater and shared her thoughts on life at the collegiate and professional levels.
How much pride do you take in the fact you were the program's first NCAA champion?
"It is definitely something I think back on and am really proud that I could pull it off. I remember that spring here I was just preparing for the NCAAs. That was my goal, to win the player of the year and the NCAA Championship. I did it, so that makes me really proud when I think back on it."
How important was the program's long line of successful Swedes in you choosing OSU?
"That is why I came here. Knowing that a lot of Swedes had been here. They talked so much about it and had only good things to say about Oklahoma State. The practice facilities at Karsten Creek are the greatest practice you can find. The school and everything is set up for success and for you to be able to focus on golf and school. I thought it was the best place I could come."
When you look back on your time at OSU what do you remember most?
My first football game was really cool. That is something when you come from Sweden that is hard to understand how big sports are here with all the big stadiums. Our biggest stadium in Sweden is smaller than the one here. I also remember my first basketball game was special. I remember when they announced the opponents, how people were reading the newspapers and saying `Who Cares!' That was really awesome."
What is it like for you when you come back here now?
"Just getting to the Oklahoma City airport and walking out of that gate brings back a lot of memories and puts a smile on my face. Coming back here now and seeing how much the place has changed with the tennis facility and with the new apartments being built. It is just cool to come back and see how everything is being developed."
How did your time at OSU prepare you for life on Tour?
"Practicing at Karsten Creek, those are the quickest greens I have ever putted on. Also, I thought the weather was great here for practice because you get everything. You get wind, you get rain and you get everything basically. It is just a great experience. Coming here, you play all over the U.S., which is great. When I came out on Tour, I had played in California, I had played in Florida, in Ohio. It felt like I had been everywhere, so it prepared me for life on Tour I think."
What are your next set of goals moving forward?
"My first year on Tour, I won a lot on the European Tour. I have had a lot of success in the Solheim Cup, but I am still waiting for my first LPGA win. That is really my goal for the near future, to win one of the events on Tour. Obviously, I want to become as good as I can be and I believe I can become World No. 1 one day. That is my vision."
When you look back on your accomplishments the past few years, what makes you proudest?
"Actually, winning the NCAAs was one of the moments I take the most pride in. I was only here for two years and only had two chances to become player of the year and win the NCAAs. I managed to pull it off. I am really proud of that and it was a big moment in my career. When I look back on it, I had a lot of patience that week and am trying to bring that out now as a pro. Just believing in myself and knowing that I can pull it off when I need to."
