Avoch teenager earns dream golf scholarship to university in Chicago in United States
JACK Mann says earning a scholarship to a prestigious university in the United States to progress his golf career is a dream come true.
The Avoch teenager is preparing to leave Ross-shire and move to Chicago to attend DePaul University where he will play golf on the prestigious US college golf circuit.
Mann (18) who is a member of Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club, where he also works, has been ranked among the top young players in Scotland and has experienced success across the country in tournaments, competing nationally and internationally.
The former Fortrose Academy pupil is set to leave later this month to begin his new life, saying it is the next chapter in his golf career.
He said: “It is something that I have always wanted to do since playing at a young age.
“A few boys that I have known have gone on to play in the United States, so it is the best way to play through the golf scholarship system to develop careers.
“I am heading out on the 30th and will be there for four years depending on what happens.
“I will play golf for the university and study a subject, where I think I will choose a business subject.
“I will be playing golf while studying, so it will be gym in the morning, classes during the day and then during the week and play golf competitions for the university. I am excited to do it, golf is something that I want to do for the rest of my life.
“It will be a big change living in Chicago compared to Avoch.”
Mann’s talents were noticed by scouts from DePaul University, who offered him a golf scholarship for the next four years.
He said after considering his options, he believes moving to Chicago was the best option to help him progress his golf.
He said: “I was spotted through their scouting system, universities usually do this through social media and look at rankings.
“They look for players that they like that can help their program.
“I had a few video calls with the scouts of DePaul and I wanted to find a university where I could get the best education I could receive whilst be at my best in golf.
“College sport is taken so seriously in the United States. They teach you what professional golf is like by going through a college system.”
Mann has achieved major success during his career at youth level. The highlight of his career was being named captain of the Junior Tour Scotland team which took on the Spanish Federation. He has also won tournaments on the Junior Tour Scotland, but he says being named captain of Junior Tour Scotland has been good for his personal development.
“I captained the Junior Tour Scotland team in the last two years which is a great experience and learning curve how to be a captain of a team and work with the best pairings.
“It does teach you about how to be a leader quite well.
“I had a few wins on the junior system, including winning the junior tour at Fortrose and Rosemarkie.
“I have played in men’s events and also competed in the British Boys Quailfiers.”
Mann is the latest golfer from the Highlands to attend university in the United States on a golf scholarship, Nairn golfers Sandy Scott and Calum Scott both attended Texas Tech University and have gone on to play in the biggest competitions in the world.
Sandy played at the US Open in 2020 with Calum playing at The Open this year at Royal Troon, when he won The Silver Medal for being the leading amateur.
Mann says he has taken advice from them on how to progress his career and hopes he can progress his golfing ambitions in the same way.
He said: “You see these guys coming through and how their dedication in the college system helps.
“I know Sandy well and Calum even better. It drives you on as it shows you anyone can do it. It was cool to watch Calum on the leaderboard at The Open and having the chance to talk to him about college golf.
“It has been good to pick his brains, talking to him made me want to go to the United States even more.”
Speaking about his ambitions, Mann hopes one day that he will be good enough to play in the biggest competitions and take on the best in the world.
He said: “I want to get through the college system and then play on the PGA Tour and play among the best players.
“I look up to the likes of Scotty Scheffler and Rory McIlroy who are on a different level in golf.
“To be able to play against them one day would be great.
“Robert Macintyre from Oban played for Europe in the Ryder Cup.
“He has proven Scottish players can do it and I would love to play against the best in the world.”
