Coaching the Ulster University Golf Team at the R&A Student Tour Series, Dom Pedro Pinhal, Vilamoura, Portugal.”
Tournament golf is always a thrilling experience, and with the Ulster University Golf Team we embarked on the third tournament of the campaign, a journey to warmer weather with dry turf under our feet. The R&A Student Tour Series’ third event of the year was held at Pinhal Villamoura, we travelled with excitement at the prospect of perfect golfing conditions as we’re yet to come out of the Winter season in the UK & Ireland. As the UU Golf team Head Coach, I find myself immersed in the thrill of guiding these talented athletes as they fine tune their swings on the range, discover the variances in grass types around the greens, not to mention the speeds at which they run.
Preparation for such an event involves more than just refining swings and perfecting putts. It can largely be about instilling confidence in each team member. We focused on mental resilience, strategic game plans, and the importance of adapting to various course challenges. As the GOAT Tiger Woods said; “Some are playing Checkers whilst others are playing Chess”, players should be continuously learning how to navigate a golf course to harness pars and birdies, whilst avoiding car crash doubles and clumsy bogeys.
The tree lined fairways of Pinhal provided a picturesque backdrop to the intense competition that awaited our team, all players in the event boast handicaps in the plus category. It was a chance for our players to showcase their skills on an international stage, surrounded by peers who share the same passion for the sport. The R&A Student Tour Series provides a fantastic insight to what top level golf looks like. From learning to pack their suit cases appropriately, to playing in a changed set of conditions to those at home. Even learning how to eat and drink correctly when they can’t raid the fridge before they head out to play.
Several players from the team competed well in the three round event, contesting for a top 10 finishes which unfortunately slipped away from them during the final round on the back 9. It’s something we can take forward to our next events, as players learn how to handle the fatigue of tournament golf, not to mention handling the pressure when contesting to win.
On to the next one. We go again.
Richie Marsden
Ulster University Head Coach