The NCG Podcast: The college star left reeling after lockdown
Lockdown probably couldn’t have come at a worse time for Tom Matthews. After just six events of his sophomore season at Eastern Florida State, a spell that brought a victory and a quintet of top five finishes, the Oswestry golfer had bagged an autumn spot at Appalachian State and the big time of NCAA Division 1 college golf.
The coronavirus crisis has ended that. But there has been cheer for the Welshman, who last week was named as one of six finalists for the prestigious Jack Nicklaus NJCAA National Player of the Year Award.
So with that endorsement still ringing round his head, we sat down with Tom to talk about his nomination, the US college scene, the Covid-19 epidemic and what the future may hold for this talented young player…
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- Related: The best Welsh golfers of all time
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Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; Caley 01T irons 4-PW; TaylorMade Hi-Toe wedges, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
