Come on Down-ing

For some people, leaving home for college doesn’t come easy, even if it’s just a few hours away. For others, it’s easy as pie. Iowa Lakes freshman golfer Conal Downing traveled nearly halfway around the world to come to college. 

Big Decisions

Originally from Great Britain in the United Kingdom, Conal Downing was recruited by Iowa Lakes Golf Coach Jarvis Weber through an agency called College Sports America.

“It was a big step in my life, coming to America wasn’t an easy decision but I felt like it can help advance my life.” said Downing. 

“It was clearly a huge decision for Conal, but I’m glad he came to Iowa Lakes.” said Coach Weber.

Golf Roots Run Down Deep

Golf is a sport that anyone can begin playing at any time in their life, however, getting good at the game isn’t that simple.

 “I first played golf at five years old and it was my great uncle who got me into it.” said Downing. “An early start to golf is an advantage to playing the game because I’ve played and practiced for a long time.” 

“He’s a great addition to the team, he brings a lot of personality with him.” said Coach Weber. He has played golf since the first time his great uncle took him and now he’s playing his childhood sport in college.”

Roll With the Changes

Along with playing golf at Iowa Lakes, Conal Downing is an engineering transfer student. 

“The toughest thing about it [being in the United States] is just getting used to the different lifestyle and fitting everything in around all of my classes, practices, and workouts.” Conal explained. 

Though things at Iowa Lakes are run differently than they are in his home country, Downing seems to like the atmosphere here.