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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nBut who better to tell you what it’s like to be a college golfer than our own college golfers ?! And that is why, in the midst of their busy schedule as a student-athlete, they have taken some time to tell us a bit more about their life in the USA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n University:<\/strong> Kent State Mayka left for Kent State, Ohio in August 2020! There, Mayka is part of a high-ranking team that is part of the MAC Conference. In recent years before her departure, she also had a lot of success in the Netherlands: she won national championships in 2018, both individually and with her Dutch team. Mayka also won silver twice in 2019: at the National Championships U21 and at the ‘National Stroke Play’.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This week we had a chat with her and asked her to share some things about America so far. You can read more about this below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is your best sports moment so far?<\/strong> What do you think of the facilities at your school?<\/strong> What do you think of American culture?<\/strong> Want to see more of Mayka? She has already appeared in one of our university spotlights. Check it out here<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you would like to learn more about Mayka’s team, take a look at her team’s roster page<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n University:<\/strong> University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Daphne van Son and Mayka were both golf players coached by Iwan Renders at Golfton before leaving for the USA. Both left in the fall of 2020 as student-athletes. During Daphne’s youth she already won the NK Strokeplay, she participated in various international tournaments and was part of the Dutch selections. Also this year Daphne is in the Dutch selection team for Women!<\/p>\n\n\n\n After intensive years of golf in the Netherlands and a secondary diploma in her pocket, Daphne was ready for her adventure in the USA! This week we also asked Daphne to tell us about her time in America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What makes sports and studying in America different from the Netherlands?<\/strong> Despite golf being an individual sport, do you now feel like you are part of a team?<\/strong> Did you find it difficult at the beginning that your studies were in English?<\/strong> Want to see more of Daphne’s home base in the USA? Then check this article<\/a>! If you’d like to see more of Daphne’s team, check out this page<\/a> on the university’s athletic webpage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n University:<\/strong> South Dakota State University In May last year, Hester signed with South Dakota State. In September the time had come: life as a student-athlete in the USA is about to begin for her. At SDSU Hester plays golf and does a major in psychology. Hester is currently 16th in the Dutch rankings and is a nice addition to the team that golfs in the Division I. The team released this article <\/a>after Hester signed. Go Jacks!<\/p>\n\n\n\n How is the relationship with your team and your coach?<\/strong> What do you think of American culture?<\/strong> What is the biggest difference between sports and studying in the Netherlands and in America? What’s the craziest thing an American has said to you?<\/strong> If you’d like to learn more about Hester and her team, check out the roster page<\/a> on the university’s athletic website. Would you like to know more about the university where Hester now plays golf and studies? Then check out this university spotlight!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n University:<\/strong> University of Illinois Jerry Ji, you’ve probably heard that name before. He is one of our slamstox golfers and has great success at the University of Illinois. But he has also won great prizes in the Netherlands, some of those prizes are: Olympic bronze, Dutch championship and participation in the KLM open. After that, Jerry decided to continue his good performance in America at the University of Illinois. And his successes didn’t stop there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last year he was named ‘Big Ten Freshman of the Year’, an amazing title. Too bad for us, we couldn’t ask Jerry for this interview, since he and his team are currently playing the regionals. With that, they are on their way to trying to achieve one of so many successes this year. As a team they also won the conference and four other tournaments. In addition, Jerry was named as part of the ‘Big Ten Second Team’. Sounds like a champ, right? You can see Jerry with his team in the picture below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Want to know more about the university of which Jerry is part? Then check out this article<\/a> that we wrote a year ago! You can also find more information about Jerry’s golf team on the athletic website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you now think: ‘What Mayka, Daphne, Hester and Jerry do, I want that too?!’ Just reach out<\/a> to us and we will discuss your options together! Or click on the button below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Future champions start here!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Playing College Golf in America, a dream come true for many golfers. The USA is the golf country, that is evident given the worldwide toppers who are mainly American: Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and many more! Of course you do not become such a global top player just like that, but starting with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":18673,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[146],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18675","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-insights-fun-more-english"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.slamstox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/M_Hoogeboom_WEB.jpeg\")
1. Mayka Hoogeboom<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Conference:<\/strong> MAC Conference
Entry semester:<\/strong> Fall 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first tournament I played (Clemson Invitational). Because of Corona we played with the team in 1 flight (5 men in 1 flight). We had also won that tournament, so it was one of the best experiences.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
We have a large indoor facility for when it snows. We have a large range with chipping facility, 2 greens and 3 bunkers. Inside we have hitting bays with trackman, putting green and Sam’s putt lab.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
They want to see results earlier than we do in the Netherlands. Furthermore, I had never been to America and therefore did not know what to expect. What I noticed was that everyone could suddenly talk to you there. That is not the case in the Netherlands. America just has a great vibe, everyone is much more helpful and more open and friendly.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.slamstox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/IMG_7635-1024x768.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.slamstox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/van_Son_Daphne.jpeg\")
2. Daphne van Son<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Conference: <\/strong>SoCon
Entry semester:<\/strong> Fall 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the Netherlands, golf cannot be combined with study. In America it is different, it is really 50\/50. The attention that I put into sports and study is comparable. Teachers understand when you are away for competitions. So then we all receive extra support for our studies.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I really feel part of the team. It is also really a different feeling than the NGF competition gives. After all, you also do everything with your team outside of golf, which also makes it feel like a second family.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.slamstox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/daphne-1024x576.jpeg\")
In the beginning it was difficult that everything was in English. After 3 weeks I was already used to it and then you don’t even think about it anymore. Because everyone speaks in English, you start to think and dream in English. Now that I am back in the Netherlands I notice that I sometimes know a word in English, but not in Dutch!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n3. Hester Sicking<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.slamstox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Sicking_Hester_2020_Web.jpeg\")
Conference:<\/strong> Summit League
Entry semester:<\/strong> Fall 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have a really nice team! I get along with everyone, I get along with my coaches, but besides that it’s also a serious relationship. I also do fun things with my team such as traveling, cooking and visiting fun things. We make each other better, and we also like it when the other does well!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I personally think it looks a lot like the Dutch culture actually. I did notice that being on time is very important. Complaining is not appreciated at all, even if you played badly and feel a bit down. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Sport is much more important there. More attention is put into it and it is taken much more seriously. In my opinion, you cannot make the combination here in the Netherlands as you can make it there in America. The ability to live on campus and train and take classes on campus also makes it a lot easier. And you have a team in America, in the Netherlands you are all by yourself. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.slamstox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/WGolf_Team_Utah-1-1024x576.jpeg\")
It is always asked whether Holland is a region in the Netherlands.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.slamstox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Jerry_Ji__5MJ5393.jpeg\")
4. Jerry Ji<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Conference:<\/strong> Big ten
Entry semester: <\/strong>Fall 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.slamstox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/MGOLF2021_BigTenChampions_1920x1080-1024x576.jpg\")
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