Hectic lifestyle suits just fine for Duke Blue Devils Lisa and Leona Maguire

Collegiate life as a Duke Blue Devils golfer certainly does not lack excitement, according to Slieve Russell talent Lisa Maguire.

Lisa, alongside sister Leona, made the decision to pursue a golf scholarship in the US after completing her leaving certificate in 2014.

“Leona and I visited different colleges and had spoken to other golfers who had attended Duke. When we visited the campus, we spoke to the coach and the team, and the facilities were brilliant, as were the academics, so it was an obvious choice.”

Maguire is a sophomore at the university alongside Leona and there are five other members on the women’s golf roster; Celine Boutier (France), Virginia Elena Carta (Italy), Sandy Choi (Seoul), Gurbani Singh (India), and Yi Xiao (China).

A standard day as a Blue Devils golfer includes attending class in the morning for her psychology studies, playing golf on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon and practising on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

The gym schedule is key too — she works out at least three mornings a week before class. “We can go to the gym as much as we like but three times is the minimum. You need to have a good structure in place if you are to fit all aspects of college golf life and studies into your day,” explained the young starlet from the Cavan club.

Lisa talked about the team environment and how there were significant differences between what she was used to in Ireland versus her daily routine in North Carolina: “We practice together, albeit it on different parts of our game. The dynamic is very different to Ireland and the programme is very coherent, as the whole team are in the same place. The good weather means you want to be out practising or playing all the time. The standard of players here is so good, that you want to make sure you are out trying to be the best you can.”

Lisa went through a big swing change last year but the focus has switched slightly for now, as her focus is on pre shot and practice routines.

“Consistency is key,” added the talented 21-year-old. “Practice and preparation vary, depending on where the team are going to play next and whether its north or south. There are different types of grass at the tournaments and what type you’re playing on really matters from one week to the next.”

Generally five players travel to each tournament and team selection differs from week to week. The selection criteria is not set in stone and is based on previous tournament performance, combined with results from weekly on course competitions. Lisa noted: “Dan Brooks, the head coach, always likes us to have a card in our hands as it focuses us even during on course practice. It’s a really good way to practice and you always feel like your score matters, even if you’re playing two balls off the tee. A score should be recorded for both.”

Supporting the basketball team, going to the movies and bowling are all off-course hobbies of Maguire’s. “Leona and I try to go shopping and max out Dad’s credit card too, when we can,” she smiled.

“University life is brilliant here and there is a big team environment throughout all the other sports as well.

“We go to watch and support Duke University basketball games and the atmosphere is amazing.”

She added: “I’m hoping to finish out the season well over here and then play well in the British Amateur in Scotland and European Individual in Sweden. June and July will be pretty hectic at home but I’m looking forward to it.”