Former Shocker golfer and South African native Calvin Pearson may be done playing for Wichita State, but he has been playing all summer, qualifying several tournaments this season.

This summer, with no coach or caddy in sight, Pearson began his career as an amateur golfer playing the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.

“I did really well to qualify for the U.S. Public Links,” Pearson said.

The United States Golf Association sponsored the tournament, which was hosted at Sand Creek Station Golf Course in Newton July 14 to 19.

Pearson’s performance in the Public Links Championship was not what he hoped for despite finishing second in the qualifying rounds.

“I was looking to do well because I’ve played there so many times, but for some reason I’ve just never really played well at Sand Creek,” he said.

Pearson said he also struggled with his performance at the Trans Mississippi in Oklahoma.

“You work so hard and then it doesn’t come out the way you want to,” Pearson said. “It’s crazy.”

Golf is not the only activity on Pearson’s schedule. He is pressed for time when it comes to practicing for tournaments while taking classes and having an internship.

“I’ve been practicing as much as I can because I’ve been pretty busy, but I try to practice four hours a day,” Pearson said. “If I weren’t doing these extra things, I’d practice even more.”

While Pearson may be practicing four hours a day, he has had to make the transition to competing without a coach.

“I’m trying to figure things out by myself right now, but I think I’ll get one after this summer,” Pearson said.

Pearson’s father coached him until he left for Wichita State, but the distance between him and his dad is something he has to get used to.

“Since he’s in South Africa, it makes it hard,” Pearson said.

He has taken coaching matters into his own hands for now and reads golf psychology books to improve his mental game.

“The thing with golf is that sometimes your head gets in the way of your ability and that’s just part of the game,” Pearson said. “I don’t think people realize how much golf is a mental game.”

According to Pearson’s books, it is possible to trick an athlete into performing better as long as they believe they can do it. With a negative mindset, however, the self-fulfilling prophecy will never come true.

Pearson has incorporated reading into his practice regimen and hopes what he learns pays off for him this week as he plays in the Kansas City Amateur tournament.

“I’ve had this mental block that I’ve created for myself and I have to get rid of that this week,” Pearson said. “I’m just trying to think positive thoughts throughout the day so it gets into my subconscious.”

Pearson’s tournament this week is a counting event for World Amateur Golf Ranking. It consists of 54 holes of stroke play with a cut after 36 holes in each flight.

Pearson will return to WSU for one more semester in order to graduate, but will not be on the golf team since he has completed his four years of eligibility.