One of Stawell’s own continues to impress overseas, with promising golfer Jayden Dignan picking up a prestigious award at the end of last month.
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Dignan was selected as the Golden Bears Athlete of the Week by the West Virginia University Institute of Technology in the United States for the period of March 18-28.
The sophomore golfer was selected after dominating for his team in recent times.
Dignan shot a team-low 156 to finish sixth overall during the Shawnee State Spring Invite and finished 10th out of 43 golfers at the Pioneer Classic.
It was Dignan’s first time receiving the award.
The Stawell product said despite winning the award it has been a difficult time for golf due to adverse conditions.
“Our golf program has been struggling this semester due to a very prolonged winter, which means we have had a very limited amount of practice sessions due to the courses being closed,” he said.
“Usually we would have began practicing constantly in February, whereas this year it is mid-April and there is still snow on the ground.”
The best thing I have learnt here is how to play with limited practice which means just going back to the fundamentals of the game and adapting to however I may be hitting the ball on that day
- Jayden Dignan
The 20-year-old has been studying in the United States since 2016 after receiving a scholarship to allow him to pursue his dreams of both golf and mechanical engineering.
He said he has continued to learn a great amount as he nears the end of his sophomore year.
“Golfing related, the best thing I have learnt here is how to play with limited practice which means just going back to the fundamentals of the game and adapting to however I may be hitting the ball on that day,” he said.
“I have learnt a significant amount during my studies as a mechanical engineering major and had some amazing life experiences along the way.”
Dignan said despite learning a lot and coming to enjoy his experience, there is still one aspect he has yet to embrace.
“I’m thoroughly enjoying my time here apart from the weather,” he said.
“I am looking forward to coming back home and to get a chance to practice in much better weather.
“Even though it will be winter when I am back it will still be better than what we have over here.”
Dignan competes in a culturally diverse golf team, with three of his teammates hailing from Australia, three from New Zealand as well as teammates from South American countries Argentina and Colombia.
Dignan will return to Stawell next month during the college’s summer break.
He will be in Australia until August when he will return to America resume his studies.
