By: Andrew West
KENNESAW, Ga. - For most young American golfers, joining the circuit is the end goal after high school play. But for many internationals, playing collegiate golf in America is the dream. Kennesaw State is home for many international students, including both men's and women's golfers. They add color to the cultural fabric of KSU.
"In a lot of my classes, there are a lot of internationals," observes Slovenian and women's golfer Lara Jecnik.
Jecnik started playing in her home country and comes from a long lineage of golfers in her family with both her parents and grandfather playing the sport. They introduced her to golf at just eight weeks old, and she started playing at age three.
Growing up, Jecnik didn't have many courses on which to play.
She recalls, "We have maybe 14 courses total across the country. I had to travel everywhere with my dad and pay all of our expenses by ourselves."
It's easy for Jecnik to notice the differences in the golf culture of America as compared to Europe, but one thing they both have in common is the hard work and dedication involved to be successful in such a competitive sport. Jecnik's golf journey began in Slovenia with diligence and sacrifice and now continues here at Kennesaw.
Men's golf head coach Bryant Odum described the international golfers as on a "mission to play professionally and get their degree."
For Clase Borregaard, a Danish member of the men's golf team, found KSU as a great opportunity to pursue his degree of choice compared to schools in his home country. Borregarrd added that this was one of the main reasons he wanted to come play in the United States. For these golfers, the sport is a way to pursue opportunities on and off the green.
With cross-cultural experiences, there's bound to be challenges. One that is often overlooked is the culture shock that many internationals experience when coming to the United States. While adjusting to American culture is, of course, difficult, at KSU the international students have the added benefit of warm, welcoming Southern hospitality.
According to Jecnik, "People here in the South are a lot nicer than people back home."
Similarly, Borregaard reports, "People are very welcoming and open here."
It's not just the locals who smoothed the transition to America. The team, and especially the American-born members, have made the international golfers feel at home. Odum described the role his domestic players take as a "host."
"The local kids help give them [international golfers] rides and show them around as well as grabbing Chick-Fil-A for the first time," he said.
With both golf teams having small rosters, they get a chance to know each other on a more individual level, which in turn creates lasting bonds.
"We're all really close, so we'll go out and eat or hang out at each other's dorms after a long week and just talk," Borregaard said.
No matter the differences in culture, one constant remains, the bond of teammates working together for a common goal. KSU's international golfers help drive the team toward success and make meaningful cross-cultural connections.
