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College Links Golf to address World Scientific Congress of Golf

College Links Golf will address the 2022 World Scientific Congress of Golf. Director Raleigh Gowrie (pictured above) has been invited to deliver a presentation on innovative research into how players cope with the challenges of transitioning from amateur to professional golf.

Raleigh, a founding Director of College Links Golf, has spent four years interviewing new and experienced professionals, ranging from college graduates to former Ryder Cup captains, to better understand the stresses and strains faced by them when joining the game’s paid ranks. The study, conducted as part of the University of the West of Scotland’s growing sport research unit, offers fascinating insights. The key findings will be revealed to a world-wide audience of golf researchers, coaches and service support staff attending this year’s convention at the Sanford Sports Science Institute, Sioux Falls, SD, on Thursday, September 15 2022. 

Raleigh suggests there is an obvious need for players considering turning pro to have a better understanding of how their skills stack up against their competitors. He states:

“Two out of every three players that make the commitment towards playing tour professional golf withdraw from the paid arena within three years of doing so. The reasons are varied, but can be collated broadly into three cognate areas, namely – realistic and honest evaluation of ability; self-awareness; and necessary support requirements. There appears to be a complex but inter-related connection between these components, and it provides some indication towards the likelihood of a successful am-to-pro transition.”

The dominant themes emerging from the deeply personal stories told through the research can help better inform players and coaches on the prerequisites of the elite game and can help determine whether players are ready to make a successful entry into professional golf. Furthermore, the findings can help practitioners support rookie professional golfers as they adapt to their new competitive environments.

If you are interested in learning more about the research and its findings and would like Raleigh to present to your students on this topic, please contact College Links Golf at info@collegelinksgolf.com.