Two Upper Sixth Form boys are looking forward to furthering their golfing careers in sunnier climes thanks to both receiving unconditional offers to study at universities in the US.
Freddie Tucker and Jack Peters, who are both golf scholars here, are the latest of six boys to choose to further their studies on the other side of the pond.
Freddie has been offered an unconditional place at Iona University in New Rochelle, New York where he will study at the PaPenta School of Business while continuing his pursuits in professional golf.
As a student-athlete at Iona, Freddie will train in the gym every morning and then will play on the golf course after class. With Iona’s location being in New York City, it has many great championship courses nearby including Siwanoy Country Club and St. Andrews, where Freddie will play and train. Iona also plays in a competition at the start of every year at Bethpage State Park and is invited to play at Winged Foot, located about ten minutes north of Iona. Both have hosted major professional tournaments, and Bethpage will host the 2025 Ryder Cup.
When Freddie received the offer, he was incredibly excited and honoured to obtain a scholarship at a US Division 1 University. Iona earned a top 100 ranking in the Wall Street Journal’s 2024 Best Universities in America, and the LaPenta School of Business, which opened in 2020, was placed in the ‘Best of Business’ list. After Freddie researched its facilities and campus, he quickly decided to grasp the opportunity to explore and live in New York City.
Freddie explained, “My golfing career began when I was ten years old when my dad, a keen golfer, booked me in for a lesson on a course in Greece. From the very first swing, I was hooked. After two years of playing, and by age 12, I had lowered my handicap from 54 to 5. With this, my parents agreed to prioritise my golfing, and I applied for the prestigious golf scholarship at Bedford School.
My time at Bedford has massively progressed my golf game and put me in good stead for the College golf environment, as I have learned how to thrive in a team environment. Also, the structured practice organised by our coach, Holly Reddick, and the incredible facilities at Woburn Golf Club have given me the best opportunity to improve.”
Jack will also study business management, but further south at the Keiser University in West Palm Beach, Florida. He will also play golf every day and with the university team six times a week.
Jack will have access to a team of eight Professional Golfers Association (PGA) coaches on site but will mainly be coached by illustrious golfer and Head Coach, Brandon Miller.
Jack told us, “I feel very excited to start a new chapter in my life. I have been playing golf for ten years after my dad initially got me into it, but after winning my first tournament at the age of eight years old, it gave me the passion and drive to win over and over again.”