91Èȱ¬

Raise Your Game: What has golf given you?

Rhys Davies: I'm doing what I've always wanted to do, so I'm motivated. I enjoy it - I wouldn't feel comfortable doing what I'm doing if I didn't. I'm happy to put in hard work and graft. I get to meet lots of new people and experience a different way of living.

It is hard being away from home, but I'm used to jetting around. You get used to looking after yourself and being with different people, making different friends at different times. I take it in my stride and get on with it.

Managerial skills, which my degree helps with, are important for planning what you're doing in training and practice. If your planning is good it helps you to improve your performances. You need to look after yourself and manage yourself from day to day. People skills are also key. You meet so many people and need to be able to converse in the right way with different people at all events and occasions.

RYG: Is golf a lonely sport?

RD: You're on your own on the golf course, but it wouldn't be fun if you were alone all the time. Golfers live in the same apartment and practise, play and travel together so we spend loads of time together and help each other out. Sometimes team mates can see something you can't.

RYG: Tell us about some of your achievements...

RD: In 2003 I won the British Boys Championship which is a top junior event for under 18's in Europe, and in 2002 I was named 91Èȱ¬ Wales Junior Sports Personality of the Year.

In November 2004 I won one of the top US college events and shortly before that I represented Wales in the World Amateur Championships in Puerto Rico. We finished 7th out of 70 teams which is good for a small nation but was still disappointing as we had a good chance at a bronze medal but washed out on the last day.

RYG: How do you cope when something like that happens?

RD: Disappointment is a big part of golf. It's hard to be successful all the time because you're not just playing against other people. Factors such as the course and the conditions influence how you play. You've got to be mentally strong and determined that you'll bounce back. You remember successful times and have a mental belief in your own ability.

RYG: How long have you been playing golf?

RD: I've been a member of a club since I was 10-years-old. I played all sports when I was younger. I was playing full-time cricket until just before my 17th birthday but I had to make a decision if I wanted to go further in either sport, and I chose golf.

RYG: Did your school work suffer as a result?

RD: I travelled a lot and missed some school because of competitions but I was lucky because the school were very accommodating and I had a good relationship with the teachers. I put in time and effort when I could. I was always busy and did my best.

During A-level exams I missed some tournaments. May and June were difficult and my golf standard dipped but you've just got to accept it because A-levels are important and I knew that I could work on my golf later in the summer after the exams.

RYG: What would you say to people who think that golf is a middle-aged sport?

RD: A lot of the top golfers are in their twenties. They are young, fit athletes, who work out in the gym. You need to be fit to excel at sport and lifestyle goes with that. I think golf is very much a young person's sport because of the lifestyle they live, travelling the world.