Northwestern University Athletics
Getting to Know: Ryan Lumsden
5/12/2016 10:25:00 AM | Men's Golf
As the Wildcats turn their attention to postseason play, NUSports.com caught up with freshman Ryan Lumsden to learn a little about him on and off the course. The rookie shares what it was like moving from England, his favorite Chicago spots and who he was rooting for in the Masters in this week's edition of "Getting to Know."
NUSports.com: What was your recruitment process to Northwestern?
Ryan Lumsden: I spoke with David [Inglis] a few times and he came over to watch me play two or three tournaments in the UK during the summer of my junior year. Then I came over to the States for a holiday and made a stop in Evanston. I spent some time walking around campus and I instantly fell in love. I loved everything the coaches talked about in their philosophy and their idea of making us better players.
NU: Can you talk about your growth and development over your freshman year?
RL: Coming into Northwestern, I quickly realized that I was not ready to play American style courses. They are so different than courses back home and certainly parts of my short game were not up to the task of hitting American shots onto American greens. We worked really hard all through the fall on my short game where we focused specifically on bunker play, putting and the wedge game – everything within 100 yards. I struggled to get it at first but then a lot of really hard work over the winter really helped out my game and I'm seeing improvement on that right now which is great. Pat [Goss], David and my team really pushed me to try to become better, which has been a key to improvement.
NU: Had you been to the states before you came to Northwestern while on holiday?
RL: I had been to the states a lot before with my family to play golf and for holidays. We went down to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina a lot. I played golf down at places like Harbor Town and Long Cove all the time.
NU: Was it a culture shock to actually move and live here?
RL: It's certainly very different from back home so yeah it's been a culture shock. Some of the things I was very used to doing and seeing back home have not been the same over here. But I've made some great friends on and off the team and it's been great, so I love it.
NU: Where part of London are you from?
RL: Wimbledon. It's amazing.
NU: Did you go to Wimbledon?
RL: We go to Wimbledon every year.
NU: Did you ever play tennis?
RL: I used to play tennis quite a lot, actually. I played a little bit of county stuff back at home. My dad was a professional tennis player so he taught me how to play. He told me I was never going to be any good at the game and that I should stick to golf. But he's been great in helping me develop.
NU: Did you play any other sports?
RL: I played a lot of soccer when I was younger, and played rugby, cricket and squash. Very non-American.
NU: If you weren't playing golf, which sport would you have picked?
RL: I would have liked to play tennis and soccer. I can't believe I'm saying soccer now. It's definitely football. But I really do love playing tennis and I've actually gotten to know a couple of the guys on the team here. I had a match against one of them.
NU: Have you spent any time in Chicago?
RL: We've been down with the team once, with my fraternity a few times, and been down with friends some other times as well. It's a great city.
NU: What's your favorite part of Chicago?
RL: The food in Chicago has been great. We've been out for a few dinners. I went out with some friends and their parents, which was great. I went think we went to Gibson's Steak place. It was unbelievable.
NU: What is your favorite movie?
RL: Pulp Fiction.
NU: What has been your favorite family vacation?
RL: Definitely when I went to the Bahamas at Christmas with my family, which was amazing.
NU: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
RL: Probably an Amazon rainforest trip. Something out there and insane.
NU: If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
RL: I think I would be a black lab puppy because they're really cute and they get all of the attention.
NU: Who were you pulling for at the Masters this year?
RL: Matt Fitzpatrick of course!
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
NUSports.com: What was your recruitment process to Northwestern?
Ryan Lumsden: I spoke with David [Inglis] a few times and he came over to watch me play two or three tournaments in the UK during the summer of my junior year. Then I came over to the States for a holiday and made a stop in Evanston. I spent some time walking around campus and I instantly fell in love. I loved everything the coaches talked about in their philosophy and their idea of making us better players.
NU: Can you talk about your growth and development over your freshman year?
RL: Coming into Northwestern, I quickly realized that I was not ready to play American style courses. They are so different than courses back home and certainly parts of my short game were not up to the task of hitting American shots onto American greens. We worked really hard all through the fall on my short game where we focused specifically on bunker play, putting and the wedge game – everything within 100 yards. I struggled to get it at first but then a lot of really hard work over the winter really helped out my game and I'm seeing improvement on that right now which is great. Pat [Goss], David and my team really pushed me to try to become better, which has been a key to improvement.
NU: Had you been to the states before you came to Northwestern while on holiday?
RL: I had been to the states a lot before with my family to play golf and for holidays. We went down to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina a lot. I played golf down at places like Harbor Town and Long Cove all the time.
NU: Was it a culture shock to actually move and live here?
RL: It's certainly very different from back home so yeah it's been a culture shock. Some of the things I was very used to doing and seeing back home have not been the same over here. But I've made some great friends on and off the team and it's been great, so I love it.
NU: Where part of London are you from?
RL: Wimbledon. It's amazing.
NU: Did you go to Wimbledon?
RL: We go to Wimbledon every year.
NU: Did you ever play tennis?
RL: I used to play tennis quite a lot, actually. I played a little bit of county stuff back at home. My dad was a professional tennis player so he taught me how to play. He told me I was never going to be any good at the game and that I should stick to golf. But he's been great in helping me develop.
NU: Did you play any other sports?
RL: I played a lot of soccer when I was younger, and played rugby, cricket and squash. Very non-American.
NU: If you weren't playing golf, which sport would you have picked?
RL: I would have liked to play tennis and soccer. I can't believe I'm saying soccer now. It's definitely football. But I really do love playing tennis and I've actually gotten to know a couple of the guys on the team here. I had a match against one of them.
NU: Have you spent any time in Chicago?
RL: We've been down with the team once, with my fraternity a few times, and been down with friends some other times as well. It's a great city.
NU: What's your favorite part of Chicago?
RL: The food in Chicago has been great. We've been out for a few dinners. I went out with some friends and their parents, which was great. I went think we went to Gibson's Steak place. It was unbelievable.
NU: What is your favorite movie?
RL: Pulp Fiction.
NU: What has been your favorite family vacation?
RL: Definitely when I went to the Bahamas at Christmas with my family, which was amazing.
NU: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
RL: Probably an Amazon rainforest trip. Something out there and insane.
NU: If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
RL: I think I would be a black lab puppy because they're really cute and they get all of the attention.
NU: Who were you pulling for at the Masters this year?
RL: Matt Fitzpatrick of course!
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
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