Learning to cope with new experiences turns good players into champions
US option does not guarantee success:
Wherever the student goes, it will need hard
work and dedication
Wherever the student goes, it will need hard
work and dedication
FROM LORNE KELLY
ProdreamUSA
As
always, I have been reading with interest your website and, of course,
the articles relating to US college golf versus UK Universities.
Given
the fact my company ProdreamUSA have sent the majority of the UK's
elite young players to the States on golf scholarships, I thought it
appropriate I should respond.
(Lorne Kelly is pictured on right).
(Lorne Kelly is pictured on right).
As
most of you know, we have been doing college golf recruiting for over 10 years now and I have been personally involved with the placement of
over 800 UK golfers on scholarship.
I can categorically say that there is still no right or wrong way and
that the US option is certainly not a guarantee of success. In fact,
too many people think that is the case, guaranteed success, simply by
stepping on that plane.
In my opinion, the journey
and hard work has not even started yet and unless you depart with the
correct mindset, yes, there is a chance you will return home.
The US
college system is a roller-coaster of a ride, full of highs and lows, but it is
learning to cope with these experiences that turns
good players into champions and, ultimately, this is what the collegiate
golf system is designed to do.
UK universities offer fantastic instruction and support from some
excellent coaches and teachers. Like Gavin Dear, I have experiences on
both sides of the Atlantic, having
turned down a place at a UK university (after careful consideration)
before I entered NCAA D1 Men's Golf (Coastal Carolina University, South Carolina).
You could almost call the UK universities 'academy-type' environments,
where you receive regular hands-on coaching
in order to reach that next level, including detailed efforts covering
all aspects of the game, from the technical issues right through to
improving mental strength and fitness. Add on top of that, a sound and
credible UK education. Of course, this is a great
route for many aspiring young golfers.
The
US system does not operate in quite the same way. It's the sheer
competition and outstanding facilities each and every day that will take
you to the next level.
Strength
and depth of golfer is prevalent everywhere in the US college squadsand one simply
has to find a way to make that travelling team.
US college golf should
never be seen as an 'academy type' environment because you are being
recruited as a proven player in order to
represent, not be coached as such. The coaching element should
have already happened.
A US college golf coach doesn't care how you do
it or how pretty your swing looks, all they are interested in is your
ability to post a score by whatever means necessary.
A prospect is not going to the States to be coached, they are simply
going to wear the colours of the school and represent them. If you
think about it from a monetary sense, they would not be offering you a
scholarship worth tens of thousands of dollars
to coach you.
If that were the case, it would be the prospect paying them the money. Don't get me wrong, the coaching and expertise can still be exceptional but my point is, it's not supposed to be about that.
If that were the case, it would be the prospect paying them the money. Don't get me wrong, the coaching and expertise can still be exceptional but my point is, it's not supposed to be about that.
Yes,
the facilities are outstanding, the athletic infrastructures are
outstanding, the academic network of support is outstanding and the
actual college golf circuit is unrivalled
anywhere in the world.
None of this however, compares to the biggest benefit of all…the life experience it gives you.
UK universities offer continuous coaching and a excellent education and US universities offer a high level of competition at some of the world's finest golf venues alongside an academic qualification that matches your credentials.
The message to our youngsters should be "What do you think you need to become a professional golfer?
None of this however, compares to the biggest benefit of all…the life experience it gives you.
UK universities offer continuous coaching and a excellent education and US universities offer a high level of competition at some of the world's finest golf venues alongside an academic qualification that matches your credentials.
The message to our youngsters should be "What do you think you need to become a professional golfer?
This
past spring one of my girl students returned from the US with her 'US degree'
and she entered the job industry. She applied for a position within one
of the UK's premier management
companies and she was up against top golf graduates from some of the
leading UK 'golf' universities.
She got the job and she got the job quickly. Why? According to the feedback we received, it was because of the way she came across during the interview and the fact her CV was highlighted.
She had competed, travelled and learned to fend for herself over a four-year period Stateside and I think this speaks volumes. There was no need to perfect her interview skills, put it that way.
In America you have to be mentally tough to succeed. It's all about results and you have to dig deep and find a way to perform and outdo the person next to you.
The harder you work, the more you represent and the more of your four-year experience will get paid for through your scholarship.
She got the job and she got the job quickly. Why? According to the feedback we received, it was because of the way she came across during the interview and the fact her CV was highlighted.
She had competed, travelled and learned to fend for herself over a four-year period Stateside and I think this speaks volumes. There was no need to perfect her interview skills, put it that way.
In America you have to be mentally tough to succeed. It's all about results and you have to dig deep and find a way to perform and outdo the person next to you.
The harder you work, the more you represent and the more of your four-year experience will get paid for through your scholarship.
If you look at the current World Amateur Golf Rankings you
will see that seven of the first ten
ranked UK golfers are either currently in the States or have been there
already.
The ones that haven't are not attending UK universities (they are full time amateurs). I am delighted to say that ProdreamUSA were responsible for most of their placements.
You then have Scotland's own top ranked amateur golfer Grant Forrest with whom we also had the privilege of being involved. Grant is currently attending the University of San Diego and he is excelling.
In terms of academic credibility, USD are up there with the best in the world, so do we see a trend here?
I am not sure the US system needs to be endorsed because we have statistics like these to refer to on a regular basis.
The ones that haven't are not attending UK universities (they are full time amateurs). I am delighted to say that ProdreamUSA were responsible for most of their placements.
You then have Scotland's own top ranked amateur golfer Grant Forrest with whom we also had the privilege of being involved. Grant is currently attending the University of San Diego and he is excelling.
In terms of academic credibility, USD are up there with the best in the world, so do we see a trend here?
I am not sure the US system needs to be endorsed because we have statistics like these to refer to on a regular basis.
It's
not always about the 'NAME' of the university and where one has
graduated from (which can be an obsession with UK students) but more so,
the terms in which you have
studied for that degree. For example, living in another country,
experiencing a different culture, studying, travelling, playing
tournament golf constantly on world-class courses and generally living
the dream?
I think these life-changing experiences are phenomenal and if I were a employer I would be impressed with these specific traits. In comparison, the academic statistics of the university he/she graduated from may be important to some but that does not guarantee a well-rounded individual.
I think these life-changing experiences are phenomenal and if I were a employer I would be impressed with these specific traits. In comparison, the academic statistics of the university he/she graduated from may be important to some but that does not guarantee a well-rounded individual.
I
recently did an interview for Golf Juice TV and I was asked about the
differences between UK and US Universities. You can view it via the
following link
I
should also point out that it is crucial for prospects and families to
discuss the US option with only qualified individuals. This is a very
complex process and longevity
is the key to how good a company is, nothing else.
It has taken ProdreamUSA over 10 years to gain the trust and respect of the US coaches and we now have over 1800 registered coaches that use us and rely on us.
This is the reason we are the only company to be certified and endorsed by the main governing body that controls everything about US college golf -The Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA). US coaches are presented with dozens of CVs every week so the best way prospects can get their attention and source the right move is by using the most qualified and successful resources.
We secure our players' eligibility, prepare them fully and find the right fit for them, simple as that.
It has taken ProdreamUSA over 10 years to gain the trust and respect of the US coaches and we now have over 1800 registered coaches that use us and rely on us.
This is the reason we are the only company to be certified and endorsed by the main governing body that controls everything about US college golf -The Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA). US coaches are presented with dozens of CVs every week so the best way prospects can get their attention and source the right move is by using the most qualified and successful resources.
We secure our players' eligibility, prepare them fully and find the right fit for them, simple as that.
Free
evaluations and consultations are on offer at our base which is Haggs
Castle Golf Club, Glasgow.
Golfers and their parents are more than welcome to book an appointment by emailing
enquiries@prodreamusa.com.
Golfers and their parents are more than welcome to book an appointment by emailing
enquiries@prodreamusa.com.
We also do regular road shows throughout the UK and to find out where you can visit the
'Future Seminars' section of the www.prodreamusa.com website. In
the mean time, our free information pack and DVD will cover lots of
questions families may have and also give them a better understanding of
our award-winning service.
Lorne Kelly
Founder ProdreamUSA
Walker Cup and Eisenhower Trophy Winner GBandI
Former NCAA DI All American, European Tour
t: +44 (0) 1475 729681
Labels: US COLLEGES
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | 7:58:00 pm
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