UHV golf team member, Englishman gets used to Texas twang
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| James Price |
South Texas heat is a far cry from London fog, but it’s an adjustment University of Houston-Victoria junior James Price is willing to make as he pursues his love of golf.
Price grew up in the Southeast London town of Slough and first became interested in golf in middle school.
“My best friend got me into it, and I just loved it,” he said of the sport. “I knew it was something I wanted to continue.”
He kept up with practices and, after graduating high school at age 16, began considering a move to the United States.
“My dad wanted me to come here as soon as I graduated, but I wasn’t sure,” he said. “It took a while for me to convince myself it was the right thing to do.”
He made the leap in 2008, accepting a position with the Western Texas Junior College golf team.
Price admits adjusting to Texas life was trying at first. He moved to Snyder, a city with about 12,000 people, of which about 4,000 are students at the college.
“I couldn’t just drive 10 minutes to go to the mall,” he said. “There was nothing for about 100 miles, and then you got to Lubbock. And it was strange being away from my family and friends.”
He soon became accustomed to the Lone Star State but found himself on the verge of another adjustment: a move to Victoria. He came to UHV in 2010 as part of the school’s first-ever golf team.
And, so far, it’s gone well. Price has settled into his business management courses and has already begun mapping out his future.
In a couple of years, Price plans to take on a graduate assistant role with the UHV team. After graduation, he wants to either move into professional golf or become a college coach.
He advised any up-and-coming golfers to pay attention to their form during the early learning stages.
“Bad habits are hard to break,” he said. “Seek out a pro and get advice from the start.”
When Price isn’t out on the course – a rarity, since he practices at least 30 hours per week – he keeps busy with his studies and tries to make it home at least once a year.
Relaxation is also among his favorite hobbies, he said, explaining he typically has music on in the background. His chosen genre? Texas country.
“It’s my favorite,” he said. “I’ve been here since 2008. What can I say?”
The UHV Outstanding Student is an online feature highlighting the exceptional students who attend the University of Houston-Victoria. To nominate a student, contact UHV Communications Manager Paula Cobler or call 361-570-4350.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 80 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.
