Cork Golf: Mark Healy thriving in new role at Tennessee

Mark Healy’s journey to Tennessee started out as a college student and while the journey isn’t over, Mark is now director of the golf programme he was playing in just two years ago.

Healy first went to Tennessee in 2019 after finishing his Leaving Certificate in Hamilton High School. 

Although it was Covid-interrupted, Mark played for three years on the golf team, racking up a few top twenty results for the Division 2 college. In addition to his golf exploits, Mark also secured a degree in economics. 

And when he decided to stay on to pursue a postgraduate degree, he took on the role of associate coach with the golf team.

A year later he was appointed as Director of Golf Operations and since then Healy has taken the reigns of the golf programme, putting his own stamp on progressive golf team. 

“My main ambition [in the first year] was to build an environment for the team surrounding structure, communication, and accountability among the group,” explained Healy. 

“Developing players on and off the course and providing a lifestyle that made us all accountable for each other was a huge part of our success in the first year. There was certainly a balance of lessons learned and success during my first year.”

It was a productive initiative by Healy and one that led to another role with the university. 

“Tusculum were incredibly supportive of the changes that were being made within the program and later offered a full-time position. 

After seeing the potential within the group and my own love of the sport, I was happy to move into the director role.”

Managing both the men’s and women’s teams can lead to a demanding schedule for the Director of Golf Operations, but Mark has built a programme that works for everyone. 

“There are two types of weeks for me usually. When we’re not travelling, we have kept a strict structure for the first portion of the year. The team meets to start each week and we go through the responsibilities laid out and a structure to approach it. 

"My mornings are spent either helping players at the indoor facility or at meetings regarding the program. Every afternoon is spent at the course with the team.”

Off-the-course duties have been going well over the last three semesters. 

"Both coach Chandley and I have made a big push to improve the teams’ relations among the community and the added support has allowed us to continuously invest in the program.  The performances from the team have helped a huge spike in interest for the team. The team has a few new recruits coming in which will further boost the depth.”

ADDITION

For the 2023 roster, Mark looked to home and recruited Cork’s Morgan Cain, and he joined the Tusculum Pioneers in August, and in September he won his first NCAA event, and helped the Pioneers to a team win.

Healy is delighted with the progress of his fellow Corkman, and the way he’s adapted to golf in the US. 

“He’s has been a hit on and off the course over here. His relationship with the team has developed fantastically over the semester and his play on the course has been extremely encouraging. 

"From a golf standpoint, the school have recruited a fantastic player. Morgan had a very solid start to the semester and played a key role in breaking both the 36 and 54 scoring record for the school that resulted in two fall wins."

Off the golf course, he has built some fantastic relationships among the team. 

He has shown great maturity in handling the changes in lifestyle and responsibilities that come with being a student-athlete. I believe his time here will help him grow further.”

It’s clear to see that Healy is happy in Tennessee and grateful for the opportunity.

“The environment within the college game has offered a great opportunity to learn and progress myself.  I am blessed to have the background in the game that I have and without the help of my lifetime coach Ian Stafford, I do not think I would have gotten off my own feet here. 

"It has been a busy year, between taking over the responsibilities with the team and finishing off my postgraduate degree at the University. 

"I will be making it home sometime in December for a couple of weeks. With life being busy here over the last couple of years it has been difficult to get time with those at home so that will be fantastic."