Like many aspiring young golfers growing up in Scotland, Russell Knox had dreams of making it big on the PGA Tour. Practising hard at Nairn Dunbar Golf Club in the Highlands, he made good progress as a teenager, competing in the Scottish Boys Championship and earning a spot in the Scotland amateur squad alongside some of the emerging talents of the national scene at the time. He knew there was room for improvement however to fulfil his true potential and following the well-trodden path of the likes of Luke Donald, Paul Casey and Graeme McDowell who had all flourished not long before Russell’s generation, he decided his future lay in collegiate golf.
The Scotsman opted to work with FirstPoint USA to help with the pathway to the States and secured a scholarship to NCAA DI Jacksonville State University in Florida. Enjoying the year-round sunshine, top class practice facilities and the highly competitive collegiate circuit, his game developed from fringe player in the Scotland squad to representing his country in the European Youth Championships, before earning his place on the second circuit of the PGA Tour shortly after graduating from JU.
He has since become a two-time on the PGA Tour, clinched a World Golf Championship title in Shanghai, achieved victory on the DP World Tour and he’s also come close to victory in The Players Championship at Sawgrass, regarded as the ‘5th Major’. We are proud to call Russell a FirstPoint alum and his story is undoubtedly an inspiration to other young amateur golfers aiming to forge a career in the game.
Going back to the start, why did you choose to work with FirstPoint USA?
I knew I wanted to come to the US on a golf scholarship, but obviously coming from a small town in Scotland, I had no idea how to do it. Through a family friend, they were able to recommend FirstPoint, so I was able to contact them and start the process and they were able to contact a few universities that were interested in me. They started introducing me and we were communicating back and forth, building relationships and ultimately I ended up choosing Jacksonville University.
Was it daunting moving from Inverness in Scotland to university in the States?
Not really, it was more just exciting. It was the path that I wanted to take. It was a little intimidating when I first got here, moving to a new country, beginning school and playing golf in a new environment. It was super exciting getting in touch with FirstPoint as I knew then that I was kicking off a new chapter in my life.
Everything was different – the roads, the weather, the restaurant. But I was just so excited to start my new life. I never really had the feeling of being scared as I knew I was committed and wanted to commit to my education and improving my golf. I was in it to win it from day one.
What was your game like when you first arrived in the USA?
My game was very raw and rusty and certainly wasn’t PGA Tour calibre. I still had to grow into my body, get more knowledge of the game and get better at golf. But I was at a great DI school playing against some other great programs, so just to get that level of competition against other great programs across Florida, South Carolina and Georgia really helped me improve. Being at college naturally evolves you as a golfer and felt like I just need time to evolve and improve, and every year I was there I feel like I improved, which was key.
What aspects of being at college helped you?
For the first couple of years, I would say I enjoyed the university life! Then I started to take it more serious, practice harder, work out, play tournaments and travel more. I built up experience of being a travelling competitive golfer, just as I was growing as a person and practising more. When I really committed to it and put all my focus into it, then I saw I could start to achieve my goals, and it was really full steam ahead from there.
What were the highlights of your college golf career at Jacksonville University?
The team won the Atlantic Sun Conference in Orlando in my junior year in 2006 and it was great to win as a team and go onto play in the Regionals. We all played well and managed to beat some highly ranked teams. Me and my team-mate Duncan Stewart were also tied first in the individual tournament, although Dunc beat me in a play-off!
What was the camaraderie like in the JU golf team?
I still keep in touch with all my teammates, especially my room mates. We all keep in touch, texting each other and going out for dinner when we get together. They are the memories you never forget and it’s great to reminisce and talk about the golf times. That’s a huge part of being a college golfer.
Do you think your career would have taken the route it has if it hadn’t been for Jacksonville University and FirstPoint USA?
No! I loved growing up in Scotland, but I figured out early that I needed to come to the US to better my golfing career. FirstPoint USA were massive in helping in that journey. Being at Jacksonville University was the most important 4 years of my life, as a student, as a person and as a golfer. I defo wouldn’t be standing here it wasn’t for Jacksonville University and FirstPoint USA?
How did you find the balance of studying for your degree and playing golf?
It was fine, it’s all part of growing as a person and you have to balance school life, party life and golf life. Being able to schedule these things and getting the balance right is important and as a student-athlete, you get lots of support to help you with that. Studying was great because classes were small which I enjoyed and then you got to play golf in the afternoon, so it was the best-case scenario.
What would your advice be to up and coming young golfers thinking about the college golf pathway?
Joining the FirstPoint USA team would be a huge help to start with. I would say dream big and go for it. I’m from a small town in Scotland and I’ve been able to win on the PGA Tour. That was my dream, and I was able to work hard to achieve that dream.
My advice would be to write down your goals on a piece of paper and make them massive. Work super hard every day and try as hard as you can to achieve them. Enjoy the journey, it is a roller coaster of ups and downs. But as long as you enjoy the struggle you can come out on top.
If you're a talented young golfer with a dream to follow Russell Knox's path to a golf scholarship in the States, register your interest with FirstPoint USA today and our specialist golf consultant will be in touch soon to discuss the first steps of the journey with you.
