From Ventura County Star,

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/nov/12/taking-golf-to-an-extreme/

By Bob Buttitta (Contact)
Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Anna-Lena Gustavsson believes a day without passion is a day wasted.

One of Gustavsson’s great passions is golf, and that passion is currently providing the 63-year-old yoga teacher with a unique experience.

Last December, the Ventura resident was at a bookstore when she saw book entitled “Extreme Golf.”

Gustavsson felt compelled to pick it up. As she thumbed through the pages, she came across a chapter on a golf challenge called “The Awesome Eight Golf Challenge.”

Dreamed up by extreme athlete Robin Sieger, it challenges golfers to play eight of the most remote and climatically extreme golf courses in the world.

Sieger got the idea from talking with mountain climbers who have climbed the “7 Summits,” which are the highest mountain on each continent.

The challenge includes playing the coldest course, North Star GC in Fairbanks, Alaska; the hottest, Alice Springs GC in Australia; the highest altitude, La Paz Golf Club in Bolivia; the lowest altitude, Furnace Creek in Death Valley; the most southerly, Ushuaia GC in Argentina; the most northern course, North Cape GC in Norway; the toughest, Ko’olau in Oahu, Hawaii; and the greatest and oldest course, St. Andrews in Scotland.

To meet the challenge, a golfer must carry his or her clubs, not use a caddie and play all eight courses in one year.

“I started reading and I knew I had to do this,” Gustavsson said. “It’s about the unknown and doing something totally by myself.

“I want to show other women and girls they can accomplish anything and that life does not end at 60.”

Gustavsson said her four children — Asa, Karin, Anders and Carl — and grandson Trent told her to go for it and think it’s “cool.”

Gustavsson started her quest last July. Tuesday she left for South America, where she will play the most southern and highest altitude courses.

That will leave her with five down and three to go. Gustavsson will play Furnace Creek in Death Valley next month, travel to Hawaii to play Ko’olau (the world’s toughest) early next year and finish her quest in April with a trip to St. Andrews.

Sieger, who lives in England, has told Gustavsson he plans to meet her at St. Andrews to welcome her into this unique society.

To finance part of the adventure, Gustavsson rented out both her house and her car for three months over the summer.

“Homeless” for that time, she stayed with relatives and friends in her native Sweden after completing the first part of her journey in that part of the world.

Gustavsson plans to keep the cost of the entire adventure to under $20,000 and believes it will end up costing her somewhere around $16,000.

As part of the challenge, Gustavsson is trying to raise money for an orphanage in Pattaya, Thailand.

“The main industry in Pattaya is prostitution,” Gustavsson said. “The orphanage has a school to help teach girls and give them a chance to make a life for themselves.

“When I found that out, it was just another reason I knew I needed to take on this challenge.”

The first six months of the quest have already provided Gustavsson with plenty of adventures and memories.

In Australia, she played alongside kangaroos. In Fairbanks, she had to dodge the small planes that people there use to get around while she was on the course.

When Gustavsson arrived at North Cape in Norway, there was not one person around. She hit some balls at the practice range, figuring someone would arrive. When no one did, she knocked on the door of a house that was situated between the two golf courses.

“A man opened the door. He had a cigarette hanging in the corner of his mouth — a little James Dean-look,” Gustavsson said. “I asked if he played golf and he replied, ‘No, but I am the owner of the golf course.’ “

Gustavsson asked if he could find her a playing partner.

About 30 minutes later, a member arrived and was happy to join her.

“The golfers I have met have been great people,” Gustavsson said. “I’ve discovered golfers are the same all over the world.”

She’s also discovered it’s not easy to travel alone as an older, single woman.

Small, most of them were less than 2 feet tall!

I have the certificate to prove it. During my whole travel, today was the first time I went back in the past. On the most famous hole the par 3 moon hole,called so because it looks like the moon. There are formations that are amazing.

I wanted to enjoy and take pictures. There is a group in front of us and they want us to play through, I did not want to, however it was kind of a must! I of course missed my shot got in the bunker and could not get out….!! People are staring at me, all men (11) except for my playing partner Erika. The stress level and the history of not being able to perform just filled the whole me, gone were my yogic behavior and calmness and in came THE EGO! Writing about it now is fun, it all creates a fun story and a reminder of what is important in life.

The rest of the round was great and I had some good and some awful shots with my rented steel old slippery grip shaft. I love all those excuses.My yoga breathing exercises really have helped me here. I am not short of breath and I could go on for another 18 or at least 9.

Erika was a pleasent lady and we exchange info. I have really met some amazing people. Thats what is important. She told me some of the Bolivians struggle and politic, when will the world understand about consciousness and that we are all equal, and that we all are part of this.

The La Paz golf course is a private course, with all kind of activities, however they did not have balls with a logo! I also get the sense of being a women here is not all that easy. The service, the accomodations and the caretaking of guest (me) was not equel to the grenfee of $60, when I get dinner and taxi to town for $14…… I think it is a woman issue so a man would probably be more cared for! Who knows.

My caddy was happy he got to carry my back pack and got his fee anyway.
Now I am done and I will go and read my mystery book. Tomorrow will be another day and then Friday heading to Lima for the day and THEN I AM ON THE PLANE BACK TO LOS ANGELES!!!!!!!!!
Love to you all from a happy Anna-Lena

I thought I was going to take it very slow today when the phone rang. I did not understand what was going on only that someone said my name. I said no entendi which for you who does not speak Bolivian Spanish means I do not understand!

They hang up and I continue to read and rest, not paying to much attention to who the heck that could have been. A minute later the phone rang again and now it was Anatolin,the young man who I have had contact with through Wayn travel site. He did follow through and found me. Thank-You Anatolin.

I went down to the reception from my comfy bed to meet this man who so generously has helped me with phone calls to the different courses.What a wonderful flow I have to meet someone on line on a travel site who lives in Ushuaia and is going to La paz the same time I am doing this challenge! We took the bus, which was great ,I got to ride with the real Bolivians, felt very exotic!

The town is build on hillsides, very steep hillsides and the buildings varies from very scary shelters to luxurious villas. The towns energy is caotic and the traffic and the smell of exhaust is not that pleasent, however the pulse of the big city can be felt and I enjoy the walk.

We stopped for ice cream and then walked a little bit more. It is taking its toll ,the altitude, I manage it very well though,happy to say. I think my breathing exercises is helping.
It is time to go back and Anatolin is negotiating a price for my taxi and off I go. Happy to say I am safe at the hotel.

Tomorrow golf, YES!
Good Night Anna-Lena

I slept for 15 hours… I guess this altitude effected me, My eyes and my head did not like it so it was great being able to fade away in a wonderful sleep, under thick down comforter in my, formed like piece of a pie room.I have always wanted to stay in a round room and here I am in at least a part of one.

You get what you wish for , do not always know when ,why or wow was this it! Today I am going to explore town one way or another, feel fit for fight (literally speaking!) in a lower pace that normal…

On my flight here I was lucky to sit by a swedish guy Fredrik who works with swedish consulate here in La Paz. He helped me through some immigration things, as an American I had to have visa and pay fee $130 not counted for in my budget! I did not have my Swedish passport with me,Swedes do not have to pay! I guess Bolivia are doing what US has done to them. I am learning!

Not only did I have to pay, it took a LONG time. Fredrik was so nice to stay with me, and his sweet family was patient.

He told me what to do and what not to. He also said it is a safe town as long as one is following the main stream and hold on to the purse!

Off I go

hugs Anna-Lena

I can feel the altitude,(12000 feet) it does not help that I did not get more than 3,30 hours sleep last night. Had to be at the airport at 4am….Slowly I will get more use to this and giving myself today and tomorrow to rest. I will give you more rapport on what is happening later. I think some food will help!
Love from a tired Anna-Lena

I enjoyed my stallion Zodiac, the name of the horse I was given on my horseback riding adventure! I really love to ride, the feeling of freedom and the warm connection with this beautiful working animal. So carefully taking me through all kind of possible dangers. The ground was very muddy and there were holes several feet deep.

The air is crisp, the birds sing their spring love songs. The wind in my face erases all concerns and I feel one with nature. I am in love with life. Zodiac takes me to the top of this particular mountain trail.  The horses get to rest and we ( 4 counting the guide) take pictures and yes I did stand on my head here too! The guides horse had a colt and she was running by our side all the time, that was very cool.

The ride back went another route and suddenly we are all the way down by the water. I cant believe it I am finally riding on a beach, my wish for so long, is now fulfilled!  To gallop and to hear the hooves and the water splashing was a dream come true, and my horse was white (although now very muddy!)

After the ride we got tea and chocolate, thank you Adolfo Imbert,Uscuaia Activa. He told me they have 10 days ride……..

Had dinner down town, another fish dish a local trout kind, it was good, however we are really spoiled eating excellent food back home, oh Secret Garden, I will visit very soon. I long for a real great salad and fruit!

It is Sunday and I am on my last hours here. This Land of Fire ,Tierra Del Fuego has been occupied by indigenous people, now all a memory because of the white men’s intrusion and diseases.The story is the same all over the world, where ever I have been,the Same people in the North, The Aborigine’s in Australia the Tribes here in South America and of course the American Indian in North America. Luckily there are people who works really hard to conserve the culture so we all can appreciate what was.

When will we learn?  This is not just a golf challenge this is a journey learning of life and appreciation of it.

Thank You Ushuaia for the hospitality, Thank-You Malen at Ushuaia Hotel and the handsome young guy with the big smile.

I am off to the airport, next stop, a short one Santiago, Chile. Then early tomorrow La Paz!

hugs

Anna-Lena

Now I feel like a tourist, I am one of the many many tourists here. People from all over the world all gathering here in Ushuaia, which means ¨the Bay where the sun sets¨. I like the other name Fin Del Mundo. I never thought I would come to the end of the world, and see that there really is no end, only a continuation….

It feels good to say it ´Fin Del Mundo´. Back to the story. Together with about 50 other people we are ushered on to the catamaran. I choose to sit outside, although it starts snowing, just a little,found a shelter and a chair.Great views from back here…

I start going into my silence again. It is a weird feeling being here by myself, there is no one else by them selves. I am pulling out of the silence and start talking to the guide. I got lots of informations about the tour. For me I just want the experience, not having to know details, however I am starved for contact so I listen and I did enjoy it all.

We sail out into the channel, it is a wide channel that once where a valley now filled with glacier water when the glacier melted 1000s of years ago! 2 oceans are meeting here, the Atlantic and the Pacific. On one side is Chile and on the other side is Argentina. In the middle we find the islands where the purpose of my journey out here is THE PENGUINS. They really are something else. The boat docked almost on the shore.

We could follow the play and the life of the Penguins very close. Two kind there where, one with yellow peak and yellow feet and one kind that was all black and white. Wow, could they swim under the water, The water was so clear we could follow the play.It really looked that they were playing,and I decided that they did.

The tour was 4 hours and on our way back they showed the March of the Penguins ,the movie. I have seen it before, however the reminder of determination,survival and love can not be more obvious than in this movie. I walked back to the hotel after a wonderful experience with the wildlife ( South American Sea Lions,regular seals, (whatever regular means?) Magallanic Penguin,Black Browed albatrosses, Kelp gulls and Dolphin gulls and of course the Les Eclaireurs lighthouse on the Beagle Channel.

Tomorrow I will explore the National Part Tierra Del Fuego on a horse back

Life is good and thank God for Internet cafes!

On the keys your Anna-Lena the explorer

So Richard the cabdriver picked me up at 3 and at least now I know I will have someone who will witness the round! At the course we are met by some people in the restaurant. The clubhouse is a round building and the pro-shop is very very small. We are still waiting for the pro , he is about to arrive they say.

There is another lady waiting and as it turn out she wants to play a round of golf, because her ship that she was going on got some ¨problems¨and could not leave! In the meantime waiting for another trip she wanted to play golf, lucky me. Mary is her name and she is from Ireland. I can communicate, hurrah.

The pro is arriving and he puts some sets together. For me men’s steel clubs, and a men’s driver, although George, the pro, said it was a good flex for me!!!! I got a Carry bag, and off we went. It rained, hailed a little, the sun was out for a short very short time and it was cold cold and windy.

It was an interesting experience, however the views were so magnificent that it did not matter that the course was wet ,very rustic and not too exiting when it comes to the lay up. Richard the cab driver played good golf, until the pro joined at the back nine, well the second 9 holes around.

One of my memories from Mary is sitting on one of my calf…. Even if you are hiding behind a tree you can get hit! Never be in front of a player….that we never learn!

It was a very enjoyable round much due to Mary, we had a great time inspite of  good scoring.

Finished, took photos, the certificate will arrive later. The green fee and the club rental cost me $100 he wanted $160 and I freaked…. They have ¨special rates for visitor outside Argentina. I had to beg for a souvenir ball!

I was sending wonderful thanks and thoughts to Alice Springs Golf Course and North Star golf course , they both comped me! It is interesting how things works out.

Well the experience is getting more interesting when we get to the car. Richard the cabdriver had the meter on…… I was to pay his time…. he got so upset when I say no way, and then the charade started again, him trying to convince me that I had hired him( maybe I had, consider my lack of understanding Spanish).

Anyway he took me back to the hotel and I gave him the transfer fee and some extra $.. Mary cheered me on and it ended ok, he took Mary back to the boat, have no idea how much she had to pay for that!

I was happy in my room and went to eat dinner at the hotel. They are open thank God it wasnow 10 pm and I was hungry. Had another fish dish, ok not great. In bed I realized I forgot to stand on my head on the last green!!!! Oh no Here we go again with transportation and explaining and all that wonderful challenge,

So to the golf course again next morning (today) to finalize my challenge. I negotiated a great price, with the help of the lovely girl from the hotel. No more surprises, if I can help it!

Now I am off to see the penguins..

Talk later

Anna-Lena