Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Varjun cultivates enjoyment of golf through tough times
4/29/2020 5:00:00 PM | Men's Golf, BRAA
When Mattias Varjun first set foot on Middle Tennessee's campus in the fall, he was eager to get started with the season. As one of five incoming freshmen on the defending conference champion men's golf squad, he knew that his success would be critical if the Blue Raiders were going to have a chance at a three-peat.
Little did he know that his freshman year would likely become one of the most memorable seasons for a freshman in recent memory at MTSU, and for reasons other than what you may think.
On the golf course, the Estonia native wasted no time getting acclimated to the collegiate game. After dominating amateur tournaments all over Europe in the summer, Varjun made an immediate impact, carding a three-day total of 222 to help the Blue Raiders finish in the top five in their first tournament of the season.
"I played over the entire summer, so when I got here it was almost like a continuation of a season for me," Varjun said. "I feel like I was ready to go and knew what to expect coming in."
The challenge of the courses Middle Tennessee played in its' fall schedule is something that Varjun enjoys. Having the challenge of needing to make good shots in order to succeed is something that helps the young freshman thrive, all while growing his enjoyment for getting out and playing the game he picked up as a child.
"All of the courses we played this year were challenging," Varjun said. "You have to be ready to hit good golf shots in order to play well on them, but I really enjoy that part of the game. I'm happy with the challenges we had this year."
As part of one of the youngest rosters in program history, Varjun's play remained steady as the season went on. At the end of the Blue Raiders sixth and eventual final tournament of the year, the freshman finished in a tie with veteran Illari Saulo for the second highest stroke average on the team at 73.9. Varjun had his second lowest round of the year early on when he shot a 1-under par 70 in the second round of the Bearcat Invitational, his first under-par round of his young career.
Under the upstart play of some of the younger players such as Varjun and the veteran leadership of Tanner Owens and Ilari Saulo, Middle Tennessee was gaining momentum as it came down the stretch. Varjun was enjoying every second he had on the golf course. Navigating through the peaks, valleys, sand traps and water were exactly what helped keep him motivated as he helped his team charge toward the conference tournament.
It was one of the better years in recent memory for a freshman at Middle Tennessee. Varjun's year, however, came to an abrupt halt when the Blue Raiders were in Statesboro, Georgia. After winning a one-day dual against Charleston Southern, MTSU had just finished a practice round in preparation for a weekend tournament hosted by Georgia Southern. Varjun and his teammates were sitting in the clubhouse, watching as their season and their worlds began to quickly change due to the spread of COVID-19.
"At first, I didn't really know how to feel about it," Varjun said. "Nobody really knew what to expect. Things were changing so rapidly. I think we all just tried to take things day-by-day."
Many athletes around the country returned home as classes shifted to online-only courses and seasons began to cancel. Varjun, who was in the midst of putting together what looked to be a special ending to a storybook season, had to quickly turn his attention to the other side of the globe.
Varjun's hometown of Tallinn, Estonia is on average a 16 hour and 23-minute flight from Nashville. Taking connecting flights into account, it can be much longer than that. Luckily for the 18-year old Varjun, he has been able to maintain regular contact with his family since the outbreak began.
"Of course you're a little worried when your family is as far away as mine is, but it's been good since I'm able to keep in contact with them and I know that they're okay," Varjun said. "I talked to my friends, family and my coach back home (David Da Silva) and my coaches here and we came to the conclusion that it would be best for me to stay (in Murfreesboro) for a while at the beginning of all this."
Just like many other student-athletes have been doing, Varjun has kept up with his studies and done what he can to get through this. When he's not behind a computer screen wrapping up his coursework, Varjun has spent time working out, watching movies and even taking the time to hit some golf balls in the newfound age of social distancing.
Self-sufficiency is a key skill on the golf course, and Varjun has been able to take that skill and apply it in his life away from the game to continue putting together what will arguably be the most memorable season he has as a Blue Raider. Getting the chance to travel and challenge himself along with his teammates helped cultivate what has budded into a strong enjoyment for the game of golf that has spread into all aspects of the young linksman's life.
"I've started to really enjoy being here at MTSU to study and play golf," Varjun said. "I enjoyed getting to travel. Our tournament we played in the Bahamas this fall was an amazing experience. It was nice to start developing as a player and embracing playing under pressure in tournaments."
On Friday April 24, Varjun finally was able to fly home to see his family and friends. During that long journey home, he had plenty of time to reflect upon the things that helped strengthen his love and enjoyment of, not only the game of golf, but the opportunity to continue doing great things as he moves forward in his career.
And as he continues to embrace it all, you can be sure the fans in Murfreesboro will enjoy watching.
Anthony Fiorella is a writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @a_fiorella74 and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
Little did he know that his freshman year would likely become one of the most memorable seasons for a freshman in recent memory at MTSU, and for reasons other than what you may think.
On the golf course, the Estonia native wasted no time getting acclimated to the collegiate game. After dominating amateur tournaments all over Europe in the summer, Varjun made an immediate impact, carding a three-day total of 222 to help the Blue Raiders finish in the top five in their first tournament of the season.
"I played over the entire summer, so when I got here it was almost like a continuation of a season for me," Varjun said. "I feel like I was ready to go and knew what to expect coming in."
The challenge of the courses Middle Tennessee played in its' fall schedule is something that Varjun enjoys. Having the challenge of needing to make good shots in order to succeed is something that helps the young freshman thrive, all while growing his enjoyment for getting out and playing the game he picked up as a child.
"All of the courses we played this year were challenging," Varjun said. "You have to be ready to hit good golf shots in order to play well on them, but I really enjoy that part of the game. I'm happy with the challenges we had this year."
As part of one of the youngest rosters in program history, Varjun's play remained steady as the season went on. At the end of the Blue Raiders sixth and eventual final tournament of the year, the freshman finished in a tie with veteran Illari Saulo for the second highest stroke average on the team at 73.9. Varjun had his second lowest round of the year early on when he shot a 1-under par 70 in the second round of the Bearcat Invitational, his first under-par round of his young career.
Under the upstart play of some of the younger players such as Varjun and the veteran leadership of Tanner Owens and Ilari Saulo, Middle Tennessee was gaining momentum as it came down the stretch. Varjun was enjoying every second he had on the golf course. Navigating through the peaks, valleys, sand traps and water were exactly what helped keep him motivated as he helped his team charge toward the conference tournament.
It was one of the better years in recent memory for a freshman at Middle Tennessee. Varjun's year, however, came to an abrupt halt when the Blue Raiders were in Statesboro, Georgia. After winning a one-day dual against Charleston Southern, MTSU had just finished a practice round in preparation for a weekend tournament hosted by Georgia Southern. Varjun and his teammates were sitting in the clubhouse, watching as their season and their worlds began to quickly change due to the spread of COVID-19.
"At first, I didn't really know how to feel about it," Varjun said. "Nobody really knew what to expect. Things were changing so rapidly. I think we all just tried to take things day-by-day."
Many athletes around the country returned home as classes shifted to online-only courses and seasons began to cancel. Varjun, who was in the midst of putting together what looked to be a special ending to a storybook season, had to quickly turn his attention to the other side of the globe.
Varjun's hometown of Tallinn, Estonia is on average a 16 hour and 23-minute flight from Nashville. Taking connecting flights into account, it can be much longer than that. Luckily for the 18-year old Varjun, he has been able to maintain regular contact with his family since the outbreak began.
"Of course you're a little worried when your family is as far away as mine is, but it's been good since I'm able to keep in contact with them and I know that they're okay," Varjun said. "I talked to my friends, family and my coach back home (David Da Silva) and my coaches here and we came to the conclusion that it would be best for me to stay (in Murfreesboro) for a while at the beginning of all this."
Just like many other student-athletes have been doing, Varjun has kept up with his studies and done what he can to get through this. When he's not behind a computer screen wrapping up his coursework, Varjun has spent time working out, watching movies and even taking the time to hit some golf balls in the newfound age of social distancing.
Self-sufficiency is a key skill on the golf course, and Varjun has been able to take that skill and apply it in his life away from the game to continue putting together what will arguably be the most memorable season he has as a Blue Raider. Getting the chance to travel and challenge himself along with his teammates helped cultivate what has budded into a strong enjoyment for the game of golf that has spread into all aspects of the young linksman's life.
"I've started to really enjoy being here at MTSU to study and play golf," Varjun said. "I enjoyed getting to travel. Our tournament we played in the Bahamas this fall was an amazing experience. It was nice to start developing as a player and embracing playing under pressure in tournaments."
On Friday April 24, Varjun finally was able to fly home to see his family and friends. During that long journey home, he had plenty of time to reflect upon the things that helped strengthen his love and enjoyment of, not only the game of golf, but the opportunity to continue doing great things as he moves forward in his career.
And as he continues to embrace it all, you can be sure the fans in Murfreesboro will enjoy watching.
Anthony Fiorella is a writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @a_fiorella74 and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
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