Rhein Gibson: An Aussie in Oklahoma
IN: News | by Anthony Powter | 04 Sep 2008
Rhein Gibson has learnt a bit about golf in his four years as an Aussie playing the US collegiate circuit based at Oklahoma Christian University. He’s game become more adaptive, the consistency is there and he’s passionate about winning.
During the last three months the results of all the hard work, both on and off the course, have been flowing for the 22-year-old.
Rhein Gibson Audio Interview
Gibson was the top Australian amateur at the St Andrews Links championship back in June. The next week at Turnberry he was one of only three Australians to qualify for the matchplay section of the British Amateur, making it through to the second round.
He returned to the US with his world ranking having moved sharply upwards to a career high of 179. He was pleased with his results in his second tour of the UK.
“I’ve worked hard both with my game and in my studies whilst being at college,” says Gibson who will graduate with a degree in Finance in December.
“Moving to the US to attend college was clearly the best thing for me. It’s open doors and I’ve made a lot of friends and America is where the world of professional golf is focused, so it was good to get over here earlier and experience it.”
Gibson is originally from Lismore on the North Coast of New South Wales. With five collegiate victories already to his name, his biggest amateur achievement came last month when he won the Oklahoma State amateur championship.
A year earlier Gibson had lost in the same event to the eventual winner Daniel Mitchell 1-up on the 24th hole in a heartbreaking elimination. He made amends to those events after defeating Andrew Green 2&1 to claim his first major amateur title.
“Winning the Oklahoma State amateur was right up there as far as wins go,” remarked Gibson.
“In the last few months my game has really come along and I’m looking forward to trying to take it to the next level.”
After Gibson graduates from college later in the year he’ll embark upon finding a tour from which to cut his teeth on.
The last four years in American have been positive but it’s not come without some sacrifices. Despite having the obvious talent Gibson has never been selected to play in an Australian team and his recent UK results, where he played well above existing National Squad members, was uniquely satisfying for him.
“I’ve had the chance to play a lot of good amateur tournaments which you simply do not get the chance to play back home. Collegiate golf in America was for me the right decision, but the setbacks are you often get overlooked for national team selection back in Australia, so you can miss out in that respect. But I don’t feel my game has missed anything by coming to America.”
Gibson is part of an ever expanding list of Australian talent currently on the tough US collegiate system. Matthew Giles moved to the US earlier in the year and is a freshman at the University of South California studying marketing. Mitchell Krywulycz is based in Augusta State, Sydney’s Jono Painter is at Bethany College in Kansas, whilst talented Queenslander Tarquin MacManus is playing out of the University of Arizona.
Attracted to the dual opportunity to gain both an education as well as a footing into professional golf, the benefit of collegiate golf is clear for players like Gibson. Should the progression into professional golfing ranks not transpire, they can fall back on their degrees to forge a living elsewhere.
Another aspect of US collegiate golf often overlooked is the discipline required to blend both academic and sporting talents, with pressures stemming from both areas.
“Balancing both you game and academic results is difficult,” says Gibson.
“You have to pass your exams otherwise you will not be able to play golf. You have to become very disciplined and willing to go that extra yard to achieve your goals to succeed in college.”
Going the extra yard is something Gibson is prepared to do. He stepped outside his amateur comfort zone a fortnight ago and entered a dreaded “Monday qualifier” in an attempt to gain a start at the recent Wichita Open on the Nationwide Tour.
“Qualifying for the Wichita Open was a real buzz and it showed me that my game is up there with those guys on tour,” said Gibson.
He missed the cut by a shot but reveled in the experienced gained on the Nationwide Tour.
“It was the first time that I’ve attempted Monday qualifying and to miss the cut that closely was a little disappointing, but all in all it was fantastic to play an event like that and I felt relaxed out there amongst it.”
The foundations that players like Gibson gain with US collegiate golf should never be underestimated. Gibson knows where his game currently stands as he’s been playing against America’s best for the last four years. He knows the courses and appreciates that to get to the next level he has to take risks and embark upon new challenges.
“At the end of the year I’ll try and get a card on the Asian Tour but still remain based here in the US. This is where it’s happening and I’ll continue to play Monday qualifiers on the Nationwide and even play some of the mini-tour events.”
Like other Australians based in the US, Gibson staying there to compete and to win. Should he need to he can, thanks to his collegiate days, fall back into a job in finance. Given his recent results on the golf course, getting that desk job probably won’t be required.
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