Northwestern University Athletics
Coaches Corner: David Inglis
8/27/2015 11:00:00 AM | General, Men's Golf
In 2014, David Inglis was elevated to head coach after former head coach Pat Goss was promoted to Director of Golf and Player Development. As the men's golf team approaches its 2015-16 campaign, Inglis shares his favorite courses, when he started playing golf and more in this edition of "Coaches Corner."
NUSports.com: When did you start playing golf?
David Inglis: I was six years old and my dad gave me a cut down six iron. I followed him around the golf course chasing a ball. At that age I was really in to soccer – football in Scotland. That was my number one sport. By age 10, I got my first full set and caught the bug then. I starting playing in local club competitions at 10 years old, and then by 13 I started playing in bigger junior events. From then on, it was only golf.
NU: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
DI: A soccer player, a footballer. I wanted to play for Hearts, which is my team in Scotland. They are top of the league right now, but that was my dream. I went to a lot of games, and every time I go home my dad and I will go see a game.
NU: What is your favorite memory from your professional golf career?
DI: Obviously my first professional start on the European tour was a big highlight. I got a sponsors exemption to the Scandinavian Masters and the thrill of finally achieving something I have wanted for so long. I remember being so nervous when I tried to tee off on the first hole. By coincidence, Luke Donald actually won that event. His first European Tour victory was my first start. It was such a thrill.
NU: When did you realize you wanted to be a golf coach?
DI: Probably two or three years into my professional career. I had since moved to Florida, playing in mini tours down there and started working. I needed to make some money to supplement playing golf. I think at that time I knew I probably was not going to be a professional golfer, but I still wanted to have a career in golf. I started thinking of the different options and what I could do to make that happen. I just had such fond memories of college golf and loved that atmosphere of amateur golf, so that became the goal. For the next two years, I applied for every assistant coach position that opened up and finally got one. I was so lucky that it was such a great school and a great atmosphere here at Northwestern and working with Pat [Goss].
NU: What do you like to do away from the sport of golf?
DI: I really enjoy Evanston. My wife and I live really close to downtown Evanston, so we walk to all the nice restaurants. I do like traveling, but don't have too many interests outside of golf. I am a bit of a golf geek. And football! I have also become a big Hawks fan since moving here.
NU: What is the most rewarding part of being a college coach?
DI: Just seeing the development of our players, not only as golfers but also as young men. No matter what they do in their careers, seeing their progression and success over four years is so special. For us, a big part of that is their golf development and that is a big factor of what we judge ourselves on – did we help these guys get better at golf? Our program is very developmentally based and Pat is such a great coach, one of the best in the world. He coached Luke Donald and has been on that journey with him from a college player to World No. 1. Nobody really understands that process of development and improvement better than Pat, so to be a part of something like that and that environment of development at Northwestern is incredible. And it stretches well beyond golf with things like the NU for Life program. We saw two of our seniors last year already get great jobs – one in New York and one in Chicago – that is really cool to see.
NU: What is your favorite course in your schedule?
DI: If you ask our guys, they will say their favorite trip of the year is Puerto Rico. It is in February so it is a nice escape from Chicago winter and we stay in a resort on the beach, so they get a bit of free time to enjoy that as well. From a pure golf perspective, our spring break trips are the best. The last three years, we have gone to Monterey, California, and have played Pebble Beach, Cypress Point, Spyglass Hill, all of these incredible golf courses.
NU: What is your favorite thing about Chicago?
DI: The people. When I first moved here I knew one person. To look at that now and see how welcoming everyone has been and how friendly they are. When you wear that Northwestern 'N' on your chest, you go around the city and everyone supports you. It is such a great community. The people are the nicest and friendliest of any place I have ever lived.
NUSports.com: When did you start playing golf?
David Inglis: I was six years old and my dad gave me a cut down six iron. I followed him around the golf course chasing a ball. At that age I was really in to soccer – football in Scotland. That was my number one sport. By age 10, I got my first full set and caught the bug then. I starting playing in local club competitions at 10 years old, and then by 13 I started playing in bigger junior events. From then on, it was only golf.
NU: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
DI: A soccer player, a footballer. I wanted to play for Hearts, which is my team in Scotland. They are top of the league right now, but that was my dream. I went to a lot of games, and every time I go home my dad and I will go see a game.
NU: What is your favorite memory from your professional golf career?
DI: Obviously my first professional start on the European tour was a big highlight. I got a sponsors exemption to the Scandinavian Masters and the thrill of finally achieving something I have wanted for so long. I remember being so nervous when I tried to tee off on the first hole. By coincidence, Luke Donald actually won that event. His first European Tour victory was my first start. It was such a thrill.
NU: When did you realize you wanted to be a golf coach?
DI: Probably two or three years into my professional career. I had since moved to Florida, playing in mini tours down there and started working. I needed to make some money to supplement playing golf. I think at that time I knew I probably was not going to be a professional golfer, but I still wanted to have a career in golf. I started thinking of the different options and what I could do to make that happen. I just had such fond memories of college golf and loved that atmosphere of amateur golf, so that became the goal. For the next two years, I applied for every assistant coach position that opened up and finally got one. I was so lucky that it was such a great school and a great atmosphere here at Northwestern and working with Pat [Goss].
NU: What do you like to do away from the sport of golf?
DI: I really enjoy Evanston. My wife and I live really close to downtown Evanston, so we walk to all the nice restaurants. I do like traveling, but don't have too many interests outside of golf. I am a bit of a golf geek. And football! I have also become a big Hawks fan since moving here.
NU: What is the most rewarding part of being a college coach?
DI: Just seeing the development of our players, not only as golfers but also as young men. No matter what they do in their careers, seeing their progression and success over four years is so special. For us, a big part of that is their golf development and that is a big factor of what we judge ourselves on – did we help these guys get better at golf? Our program is very developmentally based and Pat is such a great coach, one of the best in the world. He coached Luke Donald and has been on that journey with him from a college player to World No. 1. Nobody really understands that process of development and improvement better than Pat, so to be a part of something like that and that environment of development at Northwestern is incredible. And it stretches well beyond golf with things like the NU for Life program. We saw two of our seniors last year already get great jobs – one in New York and one in Chicago – that is really cool to see.
NU: What is your favorite course in your schedule?
DI: If you ask our guys, they will say their favorite trip of the year is Puerto Rico. It is in February so it is a nice escape from Chicago winter and we stay in a resort on the beach, so they get a bit of free time to enjoy that as well. From a pure golf perspective, our spring break trips are the best. The last three years, we have gone to Monterey, California, and have played Pebble Beach, Cypress Point, Spyglass Hill, all of these incredible golf courses.
NU: What is your favorite thing about Chicago?
DI: The people. When I first moved here I knew one person. To look at that now and see how welcoming everyone has been and how friendly they are. When you wear that Northwestern 'N' on your chest, you go around the city and everyone supports you. It is such a great community. The people are the nicest and friendliest of any place I have ever lived.
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