To many, golf is more than just a sport. It’s the four hours in the day when they can put their phones away, switch off from the troubles of normal day life and just be present in the moment. Renowned for the copious amounts of hours spent perfecting every minute detail of the golf swing, it is one of the only sports where it can be more mentally tough than physically. 

Being able to hit a golf ball is one thing, but being able to play golf is another. The ability to forget previous mistakes and that the most important shot is always the next one is what makes the best players so impressive. But beyond the scorecards are the untold stories of these players. What led them to pick up a club? What drives them to dedicate themselves to a sport of such fine margins?  How did they overcome adversity?

It’s not unusual in golf for players to have to call an abrupt end to their dreams of picking up a green jacket at Augusta or lifting The Claret Jug at The Open. So many players fall and disappear from the professional game and are forgotten about by fans quicker than they can shout fore right.

Ex-US Open winner Michael Campbell couldn’t mentally deal with the pressure of success and living up to the name. That was the pinnacle of his career, but his outgoing character took a sharp decline as he said in his retirement statement, ‘nobody ever tells you how to get down.’ 

With everyone being encouraged to speak out and express their feelings and pasts in today’s society, I wanted to uncover how aspiring players balance the stresses of life with time spent playing and what their journeys have been like. I went to Horsforth Golf Club to watch one of the biggest matches in Leeds Beckett Golf’s history as the side looked to make the final of the national cup for the first time. I spoke with a few players who have untold stories about what got them to where they are now.

The Leeds Beckett first team are made up of some of the most promising players from across the country and have come to gain a degree but also further their abilities on the course. Many of the players not only compete in BUCS highest league and national competitions but also play for their home clubs’ scratch teams. 

Paul McGahan, nicknamed Frenchie, is one of longest longest-serving players and has been named captain for this season. Having started playing golf at the age of five, he’s renowned across the university golf scene for his laid-back approach to the game, but is able to switch into a different person when playing competitively. “The confidence in my ability has come from an early age, I don’t feel pressure. If I go behind in a match, I let my opponent feel like he’s got the upper hand, but little do they know that coming from behind makes drives me into a different gear.”

Paul was tipped as one of France’s brightest stars as he progressed through the ranks at one of the most prestigious clubs in Europe, Le Golf National. Born just outside of Paris, it only looked like his career was going to end up in the professional game. Sponsors were flooding in, he was ranked top ten amateurs in the country, but his life completely changed just before Christmas in 2021. A tragic car accident led to the passing away of two close family members, and he was forced to move to England to live with his aunt.

He didn’t pick up a golf club for over a year and left his bag back in France as a sort of tribute to who he was before. “No words can ever describe those few months. Everything was in place for me, I almost felt destined to make it. But everything I played for was snatched away from me. The reasons I wanted to succeed were gone. The thought of hitting a shot and not seeing my family on the side of the fairway was tough,” Paul explained.

It took him over two years to come to terms with what happened and to get back to reigniting his love for golf. He borrowed a friends set of clubs and started taking himself back to the driving range. “Being at a golf club has always been my safe place, surrounded by my team and people who give up their time for me to get better every day.”

“I almost felt I owed it to my family; they were my biggest fans and they wouldn’t have wanted me to give up the thing that made us all so happy.”

“I just had to reinvent myself and enjoy the peace of a course again. Understand I’m not going to go to the level I was once tipped to be at, but back myself to get back to the best I can be. Once I lost the caring bit, I got the buzz back, and a carefree me on the course is a dangerous one.”

In his first year at Leeds Beckett, he was in and out of the team in the first few months, but the coaches soon realised his potential and he had to be trusted to pick up points. Since then, he’s been a constant in the purple and black for the past three years, picking up 30 wins in 34 games and playing a crucial part in a different role as leader for what could be the team’s most successful season to date. 

Watching Paul lead by example as he teed off, in the pure silence and serenity of the first, was impressive to say the least. A shot that never changed trajectory, almost on a rope down the middle of the fairway. As the first group got underway, the magnitude of this game could really be felt. Leeds Beckett and Liverpool had some fiercely contested matches earlier on in the season, with it one a piece on aggregate, so the chance of progressing to a final where the venue is a former Open course, Royal St George’s, wasn’t one to be passed by.

Beckett were under the cosh early in the round with their opponents starting quicker and carrying this momentum through until the turn. With the score currently 4-2 down after nine, a moment of magic by Josh Donaghey holeing out from 170 yards out, proved to be the trigger for Beckett’s comeback, as an outpouring of emotion towards his teammates echoed across the neighbouring holes. The side in purple started turning the tide back in their favour and went on a nearly perfect five-hole stretch, eventually coming out victorious in a monumental 5-1 win. 

It has been a long season for Beckett, having travelled hundreds of miles up and down the country, leaving in the early hours of the morning through bleak winter to showcase their skills. A few shock losses earlier on in the league campaign hampered the chances of a double and took its toll on the players. The pressure was increased tenfold, and with being the favourites to win the league it meant people were looking at the side with doubts.

As much as golf is an individual game and only the player can change the outcome of their match, the team aspect is just as important. “We play for ourselves, of course, but an individual point contributes to the bigger outcome. You don’t want to be the player who makes other players’ victories meaningless.” Paul explained.

With university golf, a big difference is that mixed teams (both males and females) can compete in the same competitions, and one player from Beckett has taken to playing against the men with no issues.

Ellie Bailey joined the team this season. She was born into a golf-oriented family with all three older sisters competing at a national level. Then her father is a PGA-qualified coach who has taught some A-list celebrities and several players now on scholarships across the globe. So, it was inevitable that picking up a club was only a matter of time. “My earliest memories were on a golf course, it felt like most of my childhood was spent at St Andrews in the tropical Scottish climate it’s so renowned for! Ellie jokingly said, and it wasn’t long before, instead of people watching her siblings they wanted to watch her play.

Ellie started playing competitive golf at the age of 12, playing for her home club, Kirby Muxlow. But quickly, coaches realised she was progressing at an impressive rate, and at 16 got picked for England squads, playing on a national stage and following in her siblings’ footsteps. 

But this was the issue. Ellie loves golf, but she never loved it that much that she wanted to dedicate her life to it. The endless hours spent on the driving range, all the social events missed with friends at school, and she felt lost in her sisters’ shadows after all they’d achieved. 

“I wasn’t enjoying it at all. I was a teenager, and I felt that golf was taking over my life. My dad pushed and pushed me, but the fear of disappointing him meant I never said how I truly felt. People knew me for my sisters, and it was like no one recognised the work I was putting in but thought the success I was having had just been handed to me.”

Ellie explained the turning point four years ago: ‘I broke my arm falling off the monkey bars at the park, and don’t get me wrong, it was the most painful thing, but I couldn’t help but be relieved it gave me a break from the game.”

A year later, Ellie was able to swing a club fully again, pain-free, but it wasn’t without hours of rehab and physio on it. However, one bad competition and a harsh talking to from her dad were just too much. “I couldn’t do it anymore, I snapped. I had all intentions of never picking up a golf club ever again. I was sick of the game and had no love for it anymore.”

Coming to university, Ellie felt she needed to be part of a society to get the best experience possible. At first, there was a real reluctance to start playing again due to the overriding emotions a tee box brings back. But the golf was never the issue, it was the playing with pressure that was.

“I decided to go to trials with a sort of what have I got to lose attitude. The biggest pressure was meeting new people and fitting into a tight-knit group. I was the only girl, but I let my abilities do the talking, and quickly I felt extremely comfortable with everyone. I think the fact I beat a few of them helped!”

Apart from the recurring injury issue with her arm, Ellie has had an almost faultless season with only one loss so far. “I lost my first match, and I thought am I cut out for this level, but I came back with something to prove the week after and haven’t looked back since.”

“Being able to play with freedom is what I’ve always wanted, and I feel very grateful for the team to make me feel like a key part, but in a positive way. Being a woman in a male-dominated environment can be hard, but being able to play in big semi-finals like today makes it worthwhile.”

Both Paul and Ellie agree that despite periods when you fall out of love with golf, there must be a reason why it always brings you back. “When it’s all you’ve known, you can forget what made you enjoy it in the first place, and sometimes it takes a bit of adversity and a break to reflect on that.”

“It can be draining, it’s a sport you can’t neglect and balancing life and work with it can be tough. But when the sun is shining, you’re focused on just where that ball is going next. Nothing else in the world seems to matter at that point, and that disconnect from normal life gives us something not many other things can.” Explained Paul and Ellie.

Beckett finished runners up in the Northern Tier Premier and still have a piece of silverware up for grabs, but for a team with a new look this season, the exciting thing is the potential it has for the next few seasons and where the players could end up after that. 

Ellie’s and Paul’s stories highlight that unless told, people won’t know their reasoning for playing the game. But that with a good group of people and a supportive environment, it allows people to thrive again.

By Joe Parsons

While football clubs to most fans, rivals, and outsiders are judged purely for what level they play at and how they perform on the pitch, that simply isn’t the full story and certainly doesn’t define success. It’s the side of the game either side of 90 minutes at a weekend that make the difference, with tireless work off the pitch in building a stronger fanbase, forming an identity, and connecting with those in the community. Sky Bet League Two and North Yorkshire side, Harrogate Town are a prime example of a club in the EFL who have fostered a clear community spirit and formed a connection with those who are ‘Proud to be Town’. From behind-the-scenes work of youth development to charity events and sponsorships, uniting people has been a clear goal of the club and has created a positive, more connected Harrogate.

In recent years, The Sulphurites have been recognised for their work picking up many awards such as being voted National League Community Club of the Year in 2020 recognising the club’s impact on schools in the local area to get children involved in sport and making football accessible to everyone. Since then, Harrogate Town have gained an outstanding reputation with its fans and fellow EFL sides by achieving a silver rating in the Family Excellence Award for last season after investing heavily in stadium facilities and being dedicated to provide the best possible matchday experience, ranking them sixth out of 24 League Two clubs. However, it’s not just the club itself receiving the plaudits with year-on-year Harrogate Town becoming a well-established EFL team wouldn’t be possible without the guidance of CEO Sarah Barry who was named Sky Bet League Two CEO of the year in 2023 being praised for “creating a commercial and operational team which is one of the best in League Two… and has laid the platform for a very successful community programme.” Via the Harrogate Town website. So, a year on from those awards, here’s what all those involved at Harrogate Town have got up to in the community this season.

Harrogate Town Player Development Centre (PDC)

One key area that Harrogate Town have shed more focus on this year is the Player Development Centre which since 2014, has been dedicated to bringing up young talent in the local area through their ranks. The PDC offers high quality coaching from experienced professionals as well as past and present players like goalkeeper James Belshaw who has been a key figure in allowing the young players to get a top-tier football education whether that’s to progress as high as they can, or to simply enjoy themselves and have fun. Having teams running all the way through from U9’s to U16’s as well as two training locations at Rossett Sports Centre and St. John Fisher has allowed the club to build a real sense of community with almost 300 boys and girls currently in the training programme this season. Lead PDC coach Ryan Smith outlined his and his coaching team’s goals by saying: “We want to foster a lifelong love of football and the club at the PDC for our players, boys and girls, who attend our sessions… it is our responsibility as a club to take pride in our coaching sessions and maximise their talents.”

This season has also seen much development for the girls’ PDC after first being launched in 2020, the increased popularity in the women’s game due to the Lionesses success and in particular England forward, Rachel Daly who grew up in Harrogate herself has been a huge inspiration, showing that they can follow in her footsteps and has led to a positive demand in young girls wanting to get involved in football, hence, the club choosing to introduce an extra training session on a Tuesday for U11’s,U12’s and, U13’s. Kate Donnan, Harrogate Town Women First Team Manger said, “We continue to work toward strengthening the girls’ and women’s pathway… and are hopeful this will continue to increase the number of players progressing through the age categories and reaching first team football with us.”  By offering the same opportunities to girls who want to play for the love of the game just like young boys do, Harrogate Town continue to actively show their commitment to all teams and age groups equally.  

International Women’s Day

The promotion of the women’s game at Harrogate Town has taken substantial strides over the course of this season, firstly with the improved academy system but away from football too with the club celebrating International Women’s Day to shed light on gender equality and the empowerment of women in sport.

To celebrate the day on the 8^th March 2025, Harrogate Town supporters and the women in the wider community have been dedicated to highlight the achievements of women in the Town by participating in a year-long project called ‘Women Winning’, which includes a range of events such as a walking tour, talks from inspirational women in Harrogate including 101-year-old WWII veteran Shelia Pantin sharing her life story, and film screenings by the football club linking up with the Harrogate Film Society.

On the day itself, the club has organised a special matchday experience as the men’s first team take on bottom of the league Carlisle United at The Exercise Stadium. Female fans and those supporting the project are invited to have exclusive tours of the stadium, meet-and-greet with players, and participate in halftime entertainment, creating an inclusive atmosphere that will bring all women in the community together.

As part of the ‘Women Winning’ project, Harrogate Town partnering up with the Harrogate Film Society have put on a pre-launch event at the local Odeon cinema on 3^rd March, screening the documentary ‘Copa ’71 The Forgotten Women’s World Cup’ which remembers the groundbreaking first Women’s World Cup held in Mexico in 1971, 20 years before the first official tournament. Barry and Donnan from Harrogate Town were there at the event to introduce the film and answer any questions, Donnan said in the lead up to the event, “By celebrating the history and achievements of women’s football by showcasing the film, we hope to inspire the next generation of female players and highlight the importance of equality in sport… It’s essential that young girls see the possibilities that lie ahead of them.”

EFL Rainbow Ball Campaign

On the theme of diversity and promoting unrepresented people in football, for the second year running, The EFL Rainbow Ball campaign in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community is an initiative aimed at promoting diversity, inclusion, and equality. After donating over £16,000 last year to a LGBTQ+ Fans for Diversity Fund and supporter groups, The EFL seeks to remind people that ‘football is for everyone, everywhere.’

Harrogate Town has taken the campaign into the local community by partnering with schools and community groups to deliver educational workshops with the aim of creating a lasting impact by encouraging young people to embrace and celebrate differences.

The players and club have played a crucial role in the campaign’s success by wearing rainbow-colored armbands and having rainbow coloured corner flags, demonstrating their support for the cause. By embracing the campaign’s message and actively engaging with the community, Harrogate Town has made a significant impact in the fight for diversity and acceptance in football.

Harrogate Army College Foundation

On 9^th November 2024, Harrogate Town welcomed the Army Foundation College based in Harrogate as special guests for their fixture against Morecambe in which they were on the receiving end of a 2-1 defeat following a 96^th minute winner from Harvey Macadam. Aside from the football, the connection between the football club and the College has allowed the Town to bring together their community and whilst also promoting the wider message of remembering those fallen war soldiers as part of Remembrance Sunday. The day itself was marked by the traditional laying of wreaths, rendition of The Last Post, and a minute’s silence prior to the game, giving the recruits the chance to develop team-building skills whilst also enjoying a day out at the football. As for Harrogate Town’s role, they continue to focus on creating positive experiences for all on a matchday, and bring together different elements of the North Yorkshire Town.

In the build up to kick-off a group of the soldiers from the College had the role of being flag bearers, holding the flags and leading the teams onto the field. Being a flag bearer is historically seen as a gesture of pride and honour, so by Harrogate Town giving them the responsibility was a significant moment which allowed them to represent the College whilst also contributing to the atmosphere on the day. Speaking to the young soldier in the image above, he said, “It’s a really special day for the College… having the opportunity to be a part of the matchday by being a flag bearer today was a real privilege. It was my first time watching Harrogate Town, so it’s been a fun experience while remembering those who sacrificed before us at the same time.”

Support of Local Charities and Initiatives

Another way in which Harrogate Town have kept close ties with the community this season has been by using their platform on social media and loyal support on matchdays to support local causes by the players wearing pre-match warm up t-shirts that raise awareness for charities and initiatives. The club throughout the season have been committed to giving back to their community and support those in need like The Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Unite For Access for disabled sports fans, and the NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression. It’s been a powerful way for Harrogate to show their solidarity in making a positive impact beyond just football and reinforces what it means being ‘Proud to be Town.’

Media manager at the club Hal Boxhall said, “It’s important to us as a club to highlight these causes on our socials as it’s where we can highlight the causes to our audience, and take this further by using hashtags to reach other fanbases so they can like, share, and repost… We’re in the privileged position by having thousands of followers to use our voice… seeing the positive response from people online is what makes our support worthwhile.”

Harrogate Town throughout this season have shown their fans, locals in the Harrogate area and all those involved with the club truly what it means to be ‘Proud to be Town.’ Although what happens on the pitch may be every club’s main objective and key to success, Harrogate Town have had a lasting impact on its community for many seasons now. From nurturing their young talent through the ranks via the PDC, to shedding light on the fantastic work of charities in the North Yorkshire area, one of the key aims has been to make a positive difference to many lives in Harrogate, whether that’s getting people involved in sport on a small scale or helping to promote raising money for life-saving causes.

The club’s efforts to promote the message of inclusivity and diversity has been an area of their community engagement that has allowed the club to build a real family-like atmosphere on matchdays. At the 2023 Football Business Awards, Barry said, “To put Harrogate Town on the map when we are one of the smallest clubs in the league proves you don’t have to be the biggest to be the best.” With events such as The EFL Rainbow Ball campaign and the celebration of International Women’s Day, everyone is welcome at Harrogate Town and has shown that football is more than a game. As the club continues grow their fanbase year on year, the close connection with their local community has allowed everyone to feel a part of the club which has embodied what it means to be ‘Proud to be Town.’