University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Know the Newcomers: Harry Plowman-Ollington
11/1/2018 1:04:00 PM | Men's Golf
Previously: Noah Rasinski | Lincoln Johnson
Up next, it's Harry Plowman-Ollington, who hails from Surrey, England, where he competed alongside current Gophers teammate Angus Flanagan. He was a member of the Surrey men's U18 team, where he won a league championship. He placed 10th at the Carris Trophy, the England boys' U18 stroke play championship, to go along with an individual win at the HMC Singles, individual second-place finish and team win at ISGA Nationals, sixth place at the Berkhamsted Trophy and seventh place at the South of England Boys' Open. This fall, Plowman-Ollington competed in two tournaments for the Gophers.
Gopher Sports: When did you start playing golf?
Harry Plowman-Ollington: "About five years ago."
GS: So not too long, what got you into it?
HPO: "I got injured. I was a soccer player before, and I had knee surgery, so I got into golf that way."
GS: How long did it take you to realize your talents?
HPO: "I suppose after a couple of years. I played for my county team back home in England."
GS: How did you end up choosing Minnesota?
HPO: "I think I just made a really good relationship with [associate head coach Justin] Smith. He had come over to see Angus [Flanagan] and we just got on really well, and thankfully he offered me a place."
GS: Did you know much about Minnesota before talking with Coach Smith?
HPO: "A little bit, obviously knowing Angus really well through where I'm from, he told me a bit about it."
GS: How much did knowing Angus and your friendship with him influence your decision to come here?
HPO: "It certainly made it easier. I wouldn't say it influenced my whole decision, but it definitely made it easier."
GS: What sort of things did he tell you about it?
HPO: "He told me about the team spirit and the relationship you make with the coaches. So I think that was one of the biggest factors for me."
GS: Have you noticed a big difference in style or in the play of golf over here compared to in England?
HPO: "Yes, certainly after at the Gopher Invitational. The courses are a little bit longer and softer. The rough sticks more. Pretty different, and it'll take some time."
GS: What would you say is the strength of your game, where do you excel most at?
HPO: "I drive the ball really well. I like to say I putt well. I don't read greens well, but I putt well."
GS: You had your first collegiate tournament at the Gopher Invitational, what was that whole experience like for you?
HPO: "Eye-opening, to say the least. Obviously not the finish that I wanted, but it put into perspective a couple of things that I need to work on to try and get into the team [lineup]. Around the greens, especially. I really struggled around the greens, I'm putting a little work into that to try and improve that."
Off the Course with Harry
Favorite course to play: San Roque in Cadiz, Spain
Favorite food: Salad
Favorite music artist: Drake
Favorite sport other than golf: Soccer (favorite team: Chelsea F.C.)
Favorite golfer: Justin Rose