Talented student-athlete awarded golf scholarship in America

Sunderland College student Luke Tate is celebrating after securing a prestigious athletic scholarship to study in the USA. 

Promising golfer Luke will head stateside this summer where he will attend Bethany Swedes College in Kansas after completing the final year of a Level 3 Sports Coaching and Development at Bede Campus. 

The 18-year-old TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) athlete gained recognition in 2021 when he was part of a team that won the Yorkshire PGA Pro-Am Championship competing against players from all over the world on some of Dubai’s top golf courses. 

Over the past few months Luke has been engaged in a specialist golf programme with scholarship consultants PEAKUSA which, along with his talent, hard work and commitment both inside and outside of the classroom, has provided him with the opportunity of a lifetime. 

He said: “I can’t wait to start a new adventure in America and try to achieve my dream of becoming a professional golfer, whether that’s on the PGA Tour or European Tour, and study towards a degree. 

“I have really enjoyed my time at Sunderland College, my tutors have been so supportive whether that’s with coursework or offering extended deadlines if golf tournaments clashed with my studies. This meant I could still focus on golf and complete my assignments, which I really appreciated. 

“They have really taken an interest in me wanting a scholarship and have worked hard with me to make sure I achieve my dream. 

He added: “The college has also taught me about nutrition and the importance of good mental health, and training with Martin Nugent and his team at Bede Campus I have built up my strength and flexibility which I feel has given me an edge over other competitors. 

“If you are a student wanting to study sport and compete at a high level, I would definitely recommend Sunderland College.” 

The college boasts a reputation for sporting excellence through its established and successful Sports Development Centres, Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) and Association of Colleges (AoC) Sport Inclusion Hub. 

Students receive everything they need to help them perform at the highest level, including strength and conditioning training with Martin Nugent Elite Performance Centre alongside professional footballers and Team GB athletes, as well as nutritional guidance, physiotherapy referrals, performance analysis and access to sports psychologists. 

In addition to successful partnerships with Sunderland AFC’s Foundation of Light and South Shields FC to deliver Football Development Centres which offer exit routes into professional and semi-professional football, the college has extended its partnership with sports agency Scholarship Connect to help even more of its student-athletes realise their dreams of studying in the USA on athletic scholarships. 

Carl Jones, Sport and Public Services lecturer, said: “We are absolutely delighted for Luke who fully deserves this opportunity. 

“Luke’s success highlights the clear platform we have within our Sports Development Centre and TASS pathways for students to hone their academic and sporting skills, knowledge, behaviours and ambitions within our career-focussed curriculum. 

“We have a very proud tradition of nurturing and developing talented athletes so they can take their exciting next steps once they leave college and look forward to continuing to support the individual journeys of all our student-athletes to achieving their dream careers.” 

If you have a real talent for sport and would like to combine your studies with an elite training programme, visit www.sunderlandcollege.ac.uk to apply or find out about the college’s open events held across its campuses throughout the year.