Photo from left: Ruth Tønnessen; Tuva Marie Isebakke 

MOREHEAD, Ky. – Morehead State women's golf has inked two newcomers who will join the program for the 2022-23 season.

Ruth Tønnessen (Stavanger, Norway) and Tuva Marie Isebakke (Spydeberg, Norway) soar across the Atlantic to become the latest in a long line of international players to join the Eagles. Both hailing from WANG Sports Academy, the two are among Norway's most elite student-athletes.

Ruth Tønnessen comes to Morehead State bringing a pedigree of success on and off the golf course, and is currently listed as one of the top-five under-19 players in Norway. She has earned a European Golf Ranking of 524, won the Srixon Tour 7 event in Kristiansand, Norway with scores of 74-78-71, and qualified to represent Norway at the European Girls Championship this past summer.

"What impresses me about Ruth is how goal oriented and hardworking she is in all aspects of her life. Not only is she a wonderful golfer and student, she is a fantastic individual who will fit in well with our diverse squad," head coach Stephanie Barker said.

Tønnessen brings an incredible amount of consistency to the Eagles as well, as she has six top-five finishes in Norway's Srixon U19 Tour and the Garmin Norgescup, where amateurs and professionals compete throughout Norway, as well as firing under 71 five times in twelve ranked multi-day events, including a low score of 67.

"The experience Ruth has gained competing against the top amateurs and professionals throughout the world is invaluable. I look forward to the experience of helping Ruth accomplish her dreams as a student-athlete here at Morehead State," Barker added.

Tuva Marie Isebakke has also made her mark on the Norwegian golf scene, as her one victory and seventeen top-10 finishes this season have made her one of the most elite amateurs in the country. Isebakke is one of the top-5 golfers in the U21 Norwegian amateur rankings with a tournament scoring average of 74.13, and just this past week, placed 13th in the Ladies Spanish International Stroke Play Championship, which has vaulted her World Amateur Ranking to 1018. 

"Tuva is an incredibly strong golfer and student who will add to the culture of excellence we have built here at Morehead State. She has a wealth of experience and a great sense of humor, two qualities which will fit in wonderfully with our diverse group of women from all around the world," said Barker.  

This past summer, Isebakke also won the Srixon Tour 6 in Bodo, Norway, shooting an impressive 68-72-71, and added four top-3 finishes and five top-5 finishes on Norway's Srixon U19 Tour. Tuva also placed sixth in the Norgesmasters Kapet in Klofta, Norway against a field of some of the top amateur and professional golfers in Norway.

"It is apparent that Tuva loves the game of golf, as well as competing at a high level. I am really looking forward to the opportunity to serve as Tuva's college coach."