From Berlin to Denver: Arthur Akpinar’s First Semester at the University of Denver

"It was the best decision of my life so far." We had the chance to speak to one of our former athletes, Arthur Akpinar, about his first few months as a Division I golfer in the United States, and you could hear the excitement in his voice immediately. The 19-year-old native of Berlin, Germany, studies at the University of Denver, and his journey is a prime example of what the American Dream looks like for a student-athlete.

Stepping Out of The Comfort Zone

The transition from Germany to Colorado wasn't without its challenges. Arthur admits that the first few weeks required some major adjustments - not just on the golf course.

"The biggest challenge was that it was a bit overwhelming for the first two or three weeks," Arthur explains. "I’m not a big writer, and then I had to write one or two essays every week. But you find a routine. My coach said that we had to be ahead in school to be on the team. So I knew I had to perform in the class room. This shifted my mindset to school being very important as well."

His hard work paid off. Arthur finished his first quarter with an impressive 3.7 GPA , proving that with the right discipline, the balance between elite sports and high-level academics is more than manageable.

A Different Kind of Training: "We Scream to Support Each Other"

For Arthur, some of the biggest differences between golfing in Germany and college golf in the U.S. are the team dynamic and how practices and workouts are being handled. In Germany, practice was often quiet, everybody with their Airpods in, overall an individual affair. In Denver, it’s a high-energy team event:

• Workouts in the gym start at 5:30 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
• Music blasting, teammates shouting encouragement, and a professional focus.
• Training with high-end technology daily to fine-tune every swing.

"It’s much more intense and supporting," says Arthur. "In the gym, we push each other to our limits. We are screaming at each other during sets to hype each other up. At one of my first workouts, my head coach was there and shouted at me that I need to be more 'hyped'. I am more of a quiet guy but then he showed me the energy he expects and I realized . okay, I need to go to my limits."

A Shift in Mentality

Golf is traditionally an individual sport, but in the U.S. college system, it becomes a team effort. Arthur describes his team as a "family" that eats together, travels together, and grows together. This support system helped him overcome the nerves of his first big tournament.

"I was so nervous on the first tee," he recalls. "But I’ve learned to accept and to enjoy the situation. I realized that as a D1 athlete, I’m part of the top 1% of amateur golfers. I think it’s a gift to be here. So I try to enjoy every moment. Now, when I’m on the range, I think: I hit a thousand balls a week, why wouldn't I be able to hit the ball in a tournament? This mindset switch has helped me to play better."

Life Beyond the Green

It’s not all golf and studying. Arthur lives the American lifestyle to the fullest. From sharing a dorm room with a member of the ski team to attending Denver Nuggets NBA games and watching NFL Sundays with his teammates, the social experience has been just as rewarding as the athletic one.

He says, "You learn things for life - independence, discipline, and a new language. On top of that I am forming very close relationships at college. My teammates are very, very kind and that helped me a lot in the first two weeks. We eat every meal together, speaking about our days and just hanging out. "

Arthur’s Advice

For young golfers in Germany considering the jump to the U.S., Arthur has a clear message:

As Arthur prepares for the spring season, with tournaments in Arizona, California, and Phoenix on the horizon, one thing is certain: His journey in Denver is just getting started.