My name is Paul Bloomquist IV. As a college athlete, I have been challenged with many obstacles that I would never have thought to consider 4 years ago as a senior in high school with high ambitions and little to no fear. Being a college athlete to me, felt as a reward for all the hard work and effort that I put into growing up.
Golf has always been my passion and is something I know I’ll continue to love.
What took some getting used to as a college athlete was realizing how much more valuable my mental health was, and not just my talent. A lot of my identity had been put into being a good golfer, and when my performance started slipping, it was easy for my confidence to slip as well. The turning point for me which I am grateful to have quickly noticed was in my teammates around me.
Golf is easy to categorize as an individual sport which in many instances it is, but without the team I have been blessed to be a small part of, I would not be anywhere near the person or player I have become. The connections to both my teammates and the coaches I have had around me, taught me that there is so much more than strictly talent in becoming a better athlete. What I have learned from my time at the University of Dubuque was that so much of golf is within my mind. Being able to control my thoughts and emotions, while on the course, is something that has transpired my ability to perform under pressure and is something I would not have learned if I hadn’t had the opportunity to be here at the University of Dubuque.
My mental and physical health has become a priority of mine in controlling my athletic and academic responsibilities. Controlling what I can control on and off the golf course, and in my mind is one of the influential things I have learned from my professors, coaches, and staff. Golf has turned from an outlet/escape to a true passion of mine once I was cognizant of my mental emotions and how I can improve them on and off the golf course.
