CEDAR CITY, UTAH -- For Southern Utah freshman golfer Uy Doan, the journey to Cedar City began more than 8,000 miles away in the vibrant streets of Hanoi, Vietnam — a place he describes as "crowded, noisy, but lively," where life is always moving, and good food is never far away.

"Food is everywhere," Doan said with a smile. "Street food is delicious, yet cheap — 'pho' or 'banh mi' is a daily staple."

A Family Game Turned Lifelong Passion

Doan's golf story started at home, with his dad leading the way.

"My dad has played golf since 2005, and he is the main reason my siblings and I started playing," Doan said. "Since my first lesson at age five, I've just gotten more passionate about the game."

What began as tagging along to the driving range soon became a pursuit that shaped his childhood. His natural athleticism and competitive drive fueled his growth, and golf became more than a hobby — it was a defining part of who he was.

Growing Up in Vietnam's Emerging Golf Scene

Golf is still finding its footing in Vietnam, but the sport's popularity is rising fast. Doan has watched that growth firsthand.

"There have been significant increases in golfers of all ages, new courses across the country, and more tournaments — both domestic and international," he said.

Still, progress came with challenges.

"One of the biggest challenges was the fees we had to pay to practice with quality," Doan explained. "Green fees were unreasonably expensive, and to find affordable courses, we had to drive two or three hours out of the city.  Most ranges used mats, and there were almost no short game areas."

Those obstacles never discouraged him. Instead, they shaped his mindset. He looked to his coach as an example of how to keep pushing forward.

"I've looked up to my coach since I was little," he said. "His hard work, grit, and desire to improve every day really inspired me."

Finding a Home at Southern Utah

After years of training and competing in Vietnam, Doan began looking for a new challenge — and SUU became the perfect fit.

"I heard about the program mostly from my sister," he said. "What influenced my decision the most was my passion for the game and the desire to improve. I felt this was the place where I could achieve that."

Adjusting to a new country and new courses has tested him, but he's embraced it.

"On the golf course, it's a lot different," Doan said. "The conditions and weather are different, and the course style is dissimilar too. Back home, our courses are tighter but slightly longer. Every day life and school haven't been a big shift since I grew up attending an international school my whole life."

Off the course, Doan has found warmth in SUU's small-town community.

"I like the culture and how everybody is friendly to each other around here," he said.

An Aggressive Player with Big Goals

Doan describes himself as an "attacking player" — someone who thrives on taking smart risks.

"I like being aggressive on pins that are attackable," he said. "If I have the opportunity to reach a par-5 in two, I'll most likely go for it. My short irons are also a strength in my game, even though it hasn't fully shown this fall season."

That confidence is matched by a thoughtful approach to growth. His goals for the season focus as much on personal development as performance.

"I want to learn more about myself on the golf course and use that to become a stronger player both mentally and technically," Doan said. "As a team, I'd like to see us show up for each other, help each other out, and post lower scores together."

Playing for the Love of the Game

Doan isn't rushing to map out his future — he's too busy enjoying the present.

"As of now, I'm not too worried about where it will take me," he said. "I'm still enjoying the game. But I'm really excited to see where it might take me and what I could possibly get out of it."

For now, that joy — the same spark that began on a Hanoi driving range — is carrying him through his first season as a Thunderbird.

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