As a young child I played mainly team sports such as Soccer and Rugby. I enjoyed being with my team mates but I always felt frustrated and dissatisfied when we played. I did not enjoy having to rely upon on my team mates to win. Not surprisingly, I ended up gravitating to individual sports: Judo and Golf. Again I enjoyed being with other players, training and playing on teams, but it was down to me to win my match – just me. I was County Champion in Judo at age 10, a small step but it made me feel so good inside. I felt special and very proud. I didn’t even mind if I lost, as long as I did my best. I could see how my training was making me better and my personal confidence grew.
I started to take golf seriously after travelling to the Ryder Cup 2014 at Gleneagles, Scotland. Rory McIlroy spoke to me and signed my hat - I was hooked! I placed 2nd in my county age group annual tournament. I also appeared on SKY SPORTS in a junior national competition - I was on a roll! I became to really work on my swing and my course management. Improvements came quickly, in 2016 in had a handicap of 7, I was junior team captain at my club and the best junior player by far. By now golf was now the only sport I was interested in.
Then I got stuck : I struggled to improve my scores, no matter how hard I tried, I changed my swing, again and again. I became disillusioned and struggled make progress on the course. Players who I used to beat easily were now a lower handicap than me. I went back to basics and stopped looking for a quick fix. I stopped changing my swing and just started playing. I played every day. I shot 66 (-6) on my home course – I lipped out on the 18th hole, missing out on the course record by one shot, but in that moment I knew I could climb my own personal mountain and began to believe. Just when I thought I was ready to really move forward, I became very ill: After months of hospital tests and visits to the emergency room my appendix burst; Surgery led to further complications and infections, I lost 30% of my body weight and couldn't even manage to walk round a golf course!
Academically I have faced my share of challenges: High school was difficult. I didn't fit in with the ‘cool kids’ and I wasn’t a ‘geek’ either. I felt isolated and had a very small group of friends. I attended all my classes but I wasn't motivated to do my best. I survived rather than thrived.
I moved away from home at 16yrs old. I studied sport at college, focusing on subjects that supported my interest in golf: event management, nutrition, physiology, etc. I found being away from home really helped me grow up and depend upon myself more. I learned that I enjoy subjects that I can apply in my daily life. I also took a part time job working in a golf store - interfacing with the public was demanding and could be quite intimidating on occasions. I learnt how to manage my emotions and not take criticism personally, not to react to other people ‘pushing my buttons’.
In August 2019 my family moved to the USA due to my parents work. In a few months I managed to recover from my operation, build up my body and get my handicap down to +1.9 by the end of the season. I've worked hard through the past few months and 2020 is going to be my year! I am looking forward to the 2020 golf season and integrating into college life in the USA.
Why choose me over another potential recruit? Well, I’ve matured, I know I can stand on my own two feet away from home, I’ve had setbacks and overcome them. I’m committed to my sport and have the ambition and ability to succeed. I share my knowledge and thoughts openly in order to help my team mates, I look for the same in return. I need you to help me be the best I can be and I know I’m only just starting to touch my potential.