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Sian James' blog 17.04.09

Hi I’m a first year student reading Applied Golf Management Studies. Some of you may be wondering what this is?! Well a quick overview, is that it covers modules in Sports Science, Material Science, History and Sociology, Business, Psychology, Coach Education and many more modules throughout the 3 years. There is a sport basis to each module and then this is applied specifically to golf. Throughout the 3 years we also work towards gaining PGA status by having academic and practical lectures at the Belfry (Headquarters for the PGA). This means I can eventually coach or play as a professional. My future ambition is to play as a ladies tour professional. At present I am enjoying my time at University, playing and practicing golf, as well as meeting new people through my course, sport and socialising!

I love playing golf and started the game when I was 10, I now play off a handicap of +1.5 and enjoy playing for fun, but also competitively in both local and national competitions. I’m also a keen netballer, but finding the time to play is difficult so I only play on rare occurrences! My golf is now a priority to me, but I enjoy swimming, cycling and going to the gym as part of my training for golf. This year I have been lucky enough to be a TASS Scholar and have had the support of physiotherapists, nutritionists, strength and condition experts, psychologists and generally a beneficial support base. This support base has helped me to keep playing golf, practicing and training at a high level whilst studying for my degree. I do 3 gym sessions a week and carry out cardiovascular sessions 2-3 times a week. I have also recently started yoga sessions to try and improve my balance and flexibility for golf – this has been fun and a nice change that I’ve never done before.

In addition to the TASS Scholarship I am also an R&A Scholar; being part of these support schemes has enabled me to play in tournaments, both representing the University and in national competitions outside of University. During this year I’ve represented the University in the 1st team, at two regional individual strokeplay tournaments, both of which I managed to win, meaning I now go into a final to be held over Easter. I’ve also represented the University at an R&A Scholars tournament at St Andrews in April; I won by 1 shot to a French student, so now get a chance to play in a Ladies European Tour event this summer which I’m very excited about! Earlier in the season I played my first tournament abroad representing England; the Spanish Ladies Championships in Gran Canaria. I managed to qualify 12th out of a field of about 120, only to lose in the first round to a French student who finished runner up. I’ll be updating you with the rest of my season’s results - until next time!