Senior golfer Scott Vincent reflects on his time at Tech

It’s around 2 p.m. A breeze is blowing through low-cut green grass. The sun is at its peak in the sky, and a gentle ripple flows though some ponds. The men’s golf team is arriving, and among them is senior golfer Scott Vincent.

Vincent has greatly helped Virginia Tech this year, leading the Hokies to five first place finishes and two second place results in 22 tournaments this season. In addition to these team successes, Vincent has a very unique accolade to his name.

Vincent is Virginia Tech’s first-ever team All-American. But just as unique as his accomplishment is his path to the United States and the opportunity he found at Virginia Tech.

Born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe, Vincent began playing golf at around the age of four or five with his father taking him to golf courses. He says he has always loved playing, but back then he really thought of golf as a fun hobby.

“I never really knew when I was good enough (to continue playing at college and beyond)” Vincent said. “But around 14 is when I really started to make and have goals and put all my eggs in the golf basket.”

Working hard, Vincent began to receive honors for his work, as he progressed into a great player in Zimbabwe. While attending St. John’s College Preparatory High School, Vincent went on to win the 2010 All-Africa Junior Golf Championship, be the 2010 and 2011 Zimbabwe National Amateur Champion and win the 2012 and 2013 Chapman Grand Slam and Harare Amateur Champion titles. All of these wins set competitive course records among other great honors.

Vincent coming to Virginia Tech had a lot to do with Virginia Tech’s head golf coach Jay Hardwick's connections to Zimbabwe.

Hardwick’s close ties with Zimbabwe began after meeting the country’s national golf coach in a tournament over 10 years ago. Since forming this bond, Hardwick had signed four other players from Zimbabwe before Vincent, including Marc MacDonald.

MacDonald was a big factor for Vincent choosing a college, as he provided a teammate who could understand him and help ease his transition to the States.

Even with all his success in his home country, his freshman year at Tech was full of adjustments.

“I had been in a bubble in Zimbabwe and had to adjust,” Vincent said.

By his junior year Vincent was fully adjusted, and his results proved it.

“My junior year was great as I adjusted to the talent I am lucky enough to have,” Vincent said.

Now a senior looking back as his college career comes to a close, Vincent remains assured on his college choice.

“Virginia Tech is the place for me, and it has been an awesome experience. I wouldn’t change it,” the team All-American said.

Vincent’s path has been an interesting one. Despite some early struggles once arriving at Virginia Tech, the senior has achieved great success while developing as a person. Even with all of the honors, he remains humble.

“I have received a lot of honors I don’t feel I deserve,” Vincent said.

Vincent recently competed in the RBC Tournament in South Carolina on April 16 for his first professional Tour start. He finished tied for 64th out of over 110 players, while being one of the youngest on the course. His college career is coming to a close; however, his future appears to be filled with great potential.