Conor O'Neil to team up

with James Ross at

Michigan State University

By BRENDAN McKENNA

Brendan.mckenna@firstpointusa.com

Conor O’Neil, Scotland’s lowest handicap junior golfer, has finalised his move to Michigan State University later this year.

Conor, pictured by courtesy of firstpoint.usa.com, will team up with former Scotland boy international James Ross, and has been brought in to help fill the void left by Jack Newman, who played in The Masters in 2009.

Like Ross, Conor has benefited from the expertise provided by FirstPointUSA.com, a leading sports scholarship consultancy and partner of the Scottish Golf Union.

“ Brendan McKenna and the rest of the staff at FirstPointUSA.com have done a great job in landing me a scholarship to Michigan State. I was lucky enough to visit their campus last year and the facilities are mind blowing. I am very much looking forward to competeing against some of the worlds top amateur golfers on some of the best courses," said Conor.

Mighigan State head coach Sam Puryear first became aware of Conor when he came to watch the FirstPointUSA.com Scottish boys' stroke-play championship at Ladybank last year. Despite missing the cut, his ball-striking ability was enough to convince Puryear that he could be an excellent addition to the Spartans' roster.
“Conor is an outstanding golfer and an extremely hard worker,” said Puryear. “He is relentless in his pursuit of becoming the best. He will play a huge part in our success going forward.”
Before beginning his US collegiate career in August, O’Neil has his sights firmly set on some unfinished business in this year's Scottish boys' stroke-play championship at Craigielaw.
“Missing the cut last year was disappointing. However, I feel like I have improved massively as a player in the last 12 months. I am physically much stronger and hitting the ball at least 50 yards further than I was last year.”
Conor has also benefited from the expert tuition by Adam Hunter and is delighted to see him on the road to recovery.
"Adam has coached me for seven years now and I wouldn’t be anywhere near the player I am not if it wasn’t for him. I'm very lucky to have had George Boswell to help me out over the winter as well and he has prepared me well for this season”
If you have ever considerd a golf scholarship to an American college or university, contact: Brendan.mckenna@firstpointusa.com