Annika Sorenstam
www.annikasorenstam.com- Birth date: 10/9/1970
- Height: 5’6”
- Birth place: Stockholm, Sweden
- College: University of Arizona
- Years as a Professional: 15
After a brilliant 15-year professional career that saw her re-write the record book in women’s golf, Annika stepped away from professional golf at the end of the 2008 season to further pursue the ANNIKA brand of businesses. She authored her second book Golf Annika’s Way and partnered with Cutter & Buck to develop the ANNIKA Collection, her very own apparel line. Annika has a Golf Course Design business with numerous projects under construction around the world. The ANNIKA Financial Group, LLC was created as a result of Annika’s passion to help other professional athletes protect their wealth while assuring their peace of mind.
As part of a continuing legacy, the ANNIKA Academy opened in spring 2007. A 5,400 square foot state-of-the art- teaching facility at Reunion Resort, outside of Orlando, Fla., the Academy allows Annika to share her passion for golf and fitness, along with her own personal coaches. The Academy’s lead instructor Henri Reis, Annika’s golf coach since 1987, focuses on both physical and mental training. Kai Fusser, Annika’s fitness trainer, helps students focus on cardio and core strengthening exercises as well as helping them strengthen on-course focus and confidence. Annika, who leads clinics when available, sees the Academy as a place to share her vast knowledge of golf as well as to strengthen her relationship with junior golf programs.
Her most recent projects include an ANNIKA wine label with Wente Vineyards and a fragrance with SA Fragrances.
Annika feels very strongly about giving back, and in 2007, the ANNIKA Foundation was created to teach children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition, and offer aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams.
In 2008, along with New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, Annika was named the “Most Caring Athlete” by USA Weekend Magazine. An eight-time ESPY award winner, Annika has also served as a national spokesman for The Make-A-Wish Foundation and was the honorary national spokesman for the organization’s Destination Joy campaign that ran throughout 2007. In recognition of her continued support of children in the state of Florida, Annika was named an honorary member of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness in late 2009.
Annika will continue to give back to the game of golf. In 2008, Annika was named an Ambassador of the United States Golf Association with the goal of making the game of golf more accessible and more relevant to players of all skill levels. In 2009, along with Jack Nicklaus, she was named a Global Ambassador by the International Golf Federation in an effort to bring golf to the 2016 Olympic Games. Appointed Advisor to the LPGA Board of Directors in July 2009, Annika will assist the LPGA with on-going discussions with tournaments and sponsors to ensure that the LPGA remains the pre-eminent women’s sports association in the world.
Annika’s love of sports was nurtured by her parents Tom and Gunilla and was strengthened by a healthy rivalry with her sister Charlotta. Annika remains close with her family, especially her sister who now works at the ANNIKA Academy. In January 2009, Annika married Mike McGee, the son of former PGA TOUR and CHAMPIONS TOUR golfer Jerry McGee. Mike has served as Managing Director for the ANNIKA brand of businesses since Dec. 2006. Annika and Mike welcomed their daughter, Ava Madelyn McGee, on September 1, 2009.
At the age of 39, Annika has established herself as the most dominant women’s player of all time. Throughout Annika’s many successes on and of the course, she remains a sincere, down to earth, and approachable person. With her unrelenting drive, storied golf career, academy and charitable institutions, Annika is motivated and is determined to bring women’s golf and sports to the mainstream.
Annika represents Callaway Golf, Lexus, Golf Digest, Oakley, Cutter & Buck and Rolex.