Shuhan’s Pathway: Moving into Division 1 Golf

For Shuhan, the fairways of Bangkok weren’t just a place to perfect her swing—they were the foundation of a journey that would take her to the world of Division 1 collegiate golf. Now, with a golf scholarship to Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, she is preparing for the next chapter: a future in economics and elite-level golf.

Arriving Bangkok Patana in Year 12, Shuhan embraced the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, a curriculum known for its academic rigour. She pursued Higher Level Economics, Mathematics AA and English B, a selection that reflected both her analytical strengths and her deep-rooted interest in finance and global markets. “Economics has always fascinated me,” she said, “My family runs a business, so I grew up surrounded by conversations about investments and markets. I wanted to understand the mechanics behind it all—the numbers, the structures, and how economic decisions impact businesses and people.” Choosing economics over business was an intentional move. “I like that economics is math-based—it’s not just theory but also calculations, modeling, and problem-solving. That really clicked with me.”

Though golf had been a part of her life for five years, it wasn’t until two years ago that Shuhan took the sport to an international level. Competing in tournaments across the globe, she sharpened her skills under high-pressure conditions. “I’ve always loved sports,” she said. “I played basketball and even took horse riding seriously at one point. But around the age of 13, I realized golf was where I truly belonged. It challenges you mentally as much as physically, and I love that about it.” Her breakthrough moment came when she won first place at the SEASAC Golf Championship in Malaysia, a victory that put her on the radar of college recruiters. “That’s when I started getting noticed,” she recalled. “Coaches reached out, and I realised I could actually take golf to the next level.”

Juggling IB coursework with daily golf practice was no easy feat, but Shuhan thrived under the challenge. She even found ways to integrate her love for golf into her academics—her Physics Internal Assessment (IA) explored the mechanics of different golf clubs and their impact on ball trajectory. “It was fascinating to analyse the physics behind it,” she said. “How the angle of the club affects the ball’s travel—it all ties back to forces and motion. That made physics more meaningful for me.” Meanwhile, her Economics Extended Essay examined economic growth in the electric vehicle industry, highlighting her keen interest in real-world economic issues. “It helped me see how theory applies to real markets,” she said.

As offers from universities started coming in, Shuhan carefully considered her options. She was drawn to Sacred Heart University not just for its Division 1 Golf programme but also for its strong economics department. “I wanted a university where I could excel in both academics and sports,” she said. “Sacred Heart offers that balance. It has a smaller class size, which means better connections with professors, and a competitive golf team where I can keep improving my game.” Balancing a Division 1 sport and an economics degree will be demanding, with daily practice sessions, tournaments across the US, and a rigorous academic schedule. But if her time at Patana has taught her anything, it’s how to manage both. “I’ll be missing some classes due to tournaments, but I’ve learned how to balance school and sports,” she said. “Patana prepared me for that—whether it was time management, independent learning, or just pushing myself.”

As she looks back on her two years at Bangkok Patana, Shuhan acknowledges the impact it has had on her, “The teachers really care about you. The structure is there to support you, and if you follow it, you’re set up for success.”

From the classrooms of Bangkok Patana to the greens of Sacred Heart, Shuhan’s journey is just beginning. All the very best Shuhan!