The University of Akron Athletics
Matt Considine: Business And Golf Ambassador
November 11 | Men's Golf
Nov. 11, 2005
AKRON, Ohio - Although the Zips' golf team has been on the rise this fall, fans may have noticed something amiss from last year's squad.
If you follow the team, you may have noticed that Zips' junior Matt Considine (Akron, Ohio-Hoban) has been absent from the links this season. Well your right, he's not with the Zips right now. He's not even in Akron right now. In fact he's not even in the United States.
Considine, who is majoring in business, has taken an opportunity to study abroad this fall. Don't worry, he's only gone for the fall semester and will be returning to the team in the spring. Although he's concentrating hard on his studies, it just so happens he's studying abroad in the land where his beloved sport has its beginnings.
Considine is studying at University College Cork, in Ireland. Founded in 1845, UCC is one of Ireland's oldest universities. The name College Cork comes from the connection the university has with the patron saint of cork, St. Finbar, who set up a monastery and school of learning in close proximity to the university. It is also home to the Cork Golf Club, one of Ireland's original courses.
Focusing on International Business at Cork, he has also joined up with his host school's club golf team. For the half-year Considine is in the British Isles, he will be able to play with his Irish peers on some of the finest courses in the world.
"I have been playing quite a bit of golf over here on the other side of the pond," Considine said. "It's a much less organized system than in the states, but it's good competition and great craic (fun in Irish)."
One course Considine is looking forward to playing, is located
in Scotland, the birthplace of golf. St. Andrews, which is one of
the most prestigious and oldest-known courses in the world, is
located on the eastern edge of Scotland. It is one of the most
challenging courses in the world due to it's layout meandered along
the Atlantic Ocean. In 2005, St. Andrews was the host to the
Professional Golf Association's British Open.
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Fall golf will soon be coming to an end in Akron, due to the oncoming winter weather. Golf in Ireland goes on well into the winter months. He doesn't have snow to deal with, but he does have to deal with the difficult wind patterns that often batter Ireland's coastline, a challenge that may help his game when he returns to Akron.
"The wind is savage," Considine laughed. "It will help me when I get back in town though, because it forces me to keep the ball out of the wind and by being innovative with my shots."
While concentrating on studying and golf, Considine has not forgotten that he is experiencing a new culture and an opportunity of a lifetime. Interacting with the different cultures of the British Isles is one thing Considine is looking forward to the most. He has an opportunity to experience the culture first hand by spending some time with Akron freshman David Addison's (Stewarton, Scotland-Stewarton Academy) family in Scotland. Addison is one of the promising, young talents on the squad.
"The culture of this area is a huge part of the experience," Considine said. " The people here have been so friendly. The Addison's are great hosts and have been really kind to me during my stay here."
In the spring, Considine will bring the experience gained in Ireland back to Akron, where he is considered one of the experienced leaders on the Zips' golf squad. He heads an improving team under the tutelage of first-year Head Coach Donnie Darr. With Considine overseas and senior Blake Sattler (New Philadelphia, Ohio-New Philadelphia) serving a medical redshirt, the team is without two of its -Continued- top upper classmen. Darr has turned to some of the younger members of the team like Colin Clemente (Hubbard, Ohio-Warren JFK HS) and Ryan Gutowski (Copley, Ohio-Copley HS), who after completing successful high school careers, have proven they can compete at the collegiate level.
"This is a great learning opportunity for Matt to experience another country's culture and customs," Darr said. "This will no doubt be a great asset to him in his professional career. He is already a very well rounded individual and this experience will provide him with many great memories."
The two sophomores have taken the opportunity given to them, with the absence of Sattler and Considine, and have proven their skill level to the team. Clemente has been especially impressive recording one top-25 finish, a low score of 68 and an average of 73.63. Combined, the two have golfed a total of 16 rounds, averaging 74.32 per outing. With their successes comes a sense of loss on Considine's part.
"Although I am enjoying my experience in Ireland, I still miss my fellow Zips," Considine replied. "I can't wait to get back on the links with them. Although I am an ocean away, I feel like I'm right on the fairway with the guys. With Blake sick and myself in Ireland, it is great to see some of the younger guys stepping it up."
Considine may be talking about the talented crop of newcomers that have joined the team this season. True freshmen Vaughn Snyder (Massillon, Ohio-Canton Central Catholic HS) and Brad Wright (Cambridge, Ohio-Cambridge HS) are the bright future of the squad. Snyder has a top-10 finish under his belt and is averaging 73.18 a round. Wright also posted a top-10 and two top-25 finishes. He holds the team's best average, posting 72.45 per round.
With Considine gaining experience overseas and the talented youngsters starting to take the reigns, the future is here for the Zips. In Considine, The University of Akron couldn't have picked a better representative, to present to the world, the values and ideals it takes to be an Akron Zip. Although he's not directly helping the team at the moment, Considine will be back and his experiences in Ireland will help in leading the team more than ever before.
