If you are a student wanting to try a new sport, chances are that golf is not the first that comes to mind. Why choose such an expensive sport? Well, Bess Chan did not choose this sport per se. She held her first golf club at just five years old. In the past 15 years, she has fallen in and out and back in love with golf. This is the journey of a passionate player who has navigated through the participation barriers of golf, and is striving to make this sport inclusive.
Bess Chan is a student-athlete of the UBC Okanagan Heat Women’s Golf Team. She is in her third year of a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in geography. Chan has played tournaments in Asia, North America, and Europe, but before crossing the globe for golf, she started the sport in her hometown, Hong Kong.
Initially, Chan viewed golf as an obligation, not a passion. Her dad introduced her to competitive golf, hoping to teach his daughter discipline and responsibility. Of course, those life lessons are not realised at the ripe age of five. It was daunting to spend her childhood sweating it out on a field of grass that seemed to go on forever, but that field turned out to be a rewarding path which she gradually made her own:
“When I was 16, I went to study at a junior golf academy in Florida, U.S.. It was a half-day school, half-day golf training [program]. I started to enjoy golf with my friends. I wanted to compete at a higher level from that time on.”
Being amongst a community of golfers reshaped Chan’s feelings about golf. Simply playing with a group of enthusiastic peers made her start to appreciate the sport. Additionally, the academy fostered an environment of positive competition and sportsmanship that pushed her to improve her game.
One year later, it was time for university, but Chan was not ready to put down her fermenting passion for golf. To have a passion is one thing, but to pursue it and meet the demands of reality is another. The reality of golf is that it is full of participation barriers. In a previous article, The Phoenix Technical Editor, Kiana Onyango, mentioned how gear, attire, and membership fees can add up to thousands. A way to reduce those fees is playing for a university team, so Chan took the route of becoming a student-athlete.
Chan actively emailed the coaches of various university golf teams, and is extremely grateful to the Heat’s Head Coach, Clay Stothers, for recruiting her. After becoming enrolled at UBCO, she moved to yet another country to study and play golf.
In the past few years, Chan has enjoyed the privileges of being a student-athlete:
“We are very grateful to have a lot of donors and resources from, for example, The Okanagan Golf Club. We are very supported by the local community, so we don’t have to worry about expenses a lot. The school also offers scholarships and awards to student-athletes.”
However, this does not mean that student-athletes are exempt from financial obstacles:
“During the summer, I have to figure out by myself the cost of travelling and [joining] tournaments. I found that really hard, especially in Asia where golf is considered a very privileged sport.”
Indeed, it is stressful to commit to this costly sport. Chan has often felt pressured to excel in order to make the money worth it, but ultimately, she believes it is worth it:
“It adds another sense of involvement to my school life … another kind of attachment to the school.”
Chan also feels supported by her team and parents, despite standing alone in front of the golf ball for each shot. In fact, she finds that the sport’s individualism has benefited her, both mentally and spiritually. Not only has golf taught her to be proactive in seeking help, it has also solidified her Christian faith:
“I want to thank God, who has led me to this position now where I am so grateful to continue to play golf and inspire others.”
Leading a “double life” can be challenging. You may lose your ball on the golf course on Monday and be cramming for your 1200-word essay on Tuesday, but you also get the best of both worlds:
“The most important thing about being a student-athlete is being passionate about your sport. If you are passionate, you will find a lot of enjoyment.”
Chan wants to share that enjoyment with all students, which is why she is starting a student golf club on campus. She aims to make golf resources and opportunities more accessible, such as by organising clinics — lessons for golfers of all skill levels. Currently, she has formed an executive team and is recruiting members. If you are interested in making this club happen, you can contact Chan via email: bessc1103@gmail.com.
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