After a surprising return to McMaster, Nicolas Dessureault will be completing his final year on the McMaster golf team as he looks to help his teammates and finish strong

During his time at McMaster, Nicolas Dessureault has been a key figure on the McMaster men’s golf team. One of his most notable moments was his performance in the team’s 2022 Ontario University Athletics title win, which saw him shoot much under par helping his team to secure the title.

As Dessureault finished his fifth year of undergraduate studies last year he was unsure of whether he would be returning to McMaster. But the 2024 golf season has seen him return to OUA golf, in his sixth and final year of eligibility. 

“So I'm in my sixth year at McMaster, so I did 5 years in undergrad. I did finance with the commerce program and then now I'm doing a one-year master's in financial math. Quite an old guy on the team.” said Dessureault.

The team has also acquired a new head coach. Long time coach John Najev stepped down at the beginning of the season with Ben McFaul replacing him. “We actually have a new coach as well. The players and the coach are kind of asking me a lot of questions, looking for guidance there, which I am happy to provide,” said Dessureault.

We actually have a new coach as well. The players and the coach are kind of asking me a lot of questions, looking for guidance there, which I am happy to provide.

Nicolas Dessureault, golfer
McMaster men's golf team

As Dessureault has settled into this season, he has already made a great performance. He helped the team secure a medal at a Queen’s University showcase, where the team finished in third place overall. Individually, he completed the course at a par of 70 strokes, tying for third place with three other golfers.

Along with Dessureault's veteran skills, there is returning player Matthew Martel alongside him who played with Dessureault last year. Other new and returning players have stepped up this current season.

“There's just so many good players. I think Liam Fernie is a good guy. I think he's one of the guys I can step up in, especially from a leadership standpoint. He's in his second year so he's got a couple more years on the team and I really like his attitude. But you know, there's a good group,” said Dessureault.

As the team continues with their season, they will participate in the Guelph Gryphon's invitational on Sept. 28 before attending the OUA championships from Oct. 4 until Oct. 6.

“This is one where you kind of would like to perform well and would love to win it [the OUA championship] again, but obviously the goal there for us right now I think is just to be what makes nationals. That's the main goal,” said Dessureault.

Along with having aspiring to make this year’s national tournament, Dessureault wants to leave his teammates with wisdom he's gained over his years of playing golf for McMaster.

 “I think what I want to leave is, and kind of how I played the last couple years, is just I want to just make sure you have fun. You're here to have fun, don't take it too seriously. Obviously try your best but really have fun and enjoy the moment. It's my last year and before I know it, it's going to be done and it'll be September next year, and I'm going to remember the days when I was playing OUA golf, and now I'm not,” said Dessureault

I think what I want to leave is and kind of how I played the last couple years is just I want to just make sure you have fun like you're here to have fun . . . try your best but really have fun and enjoy the moment.

Nicolas Dessureault, golfer
McMaster men's golf team

Before Dessureault can fully reminisce on his McMaster golf career, he will have to compete in the OUA championships. He aims to capture another OUA title, rounding out a great career at McMaster.

Photos by Catherine Goce

This time last year, I was contemplating what my future in the sports industry would look like. I had just wrapped up my first year as the Silhouette’s sports reporter and though I gained a ton of valuable skills and experiences, I was really unsure if I wanted to continue as a sports writer.

Though despite my doubts, I saw the doors that opened for me through this job and I decided to give it another shot in my final year.

I took on this role because I knew that if I wanted to find a job in the sports industry, everything that I did outside the classroom would matter the most. Being a multimedia and communications student at McMaster has taught me a lot of the skills I need, but the practical aspects of the sports industry one can get at programs at Ryerson University or Brock University are not offered here.

So along with writing for The Silhouette I took on four major sports-related extracurriculars. From running women’s football on campus, to helping the men’s basketball team figure out their social media presence, I tried to get as much experience as I could.

This, along with my previous internship experience, allowed me to figure out what exactly I had a passion for. I knew that I could write, I had two articles every week for the last two years to prove it, but I also knew that it was not something I was passionate enough about.

Running women’s football gave me a chance to work out my organizational and operational skills. A major part of the sports industry is game operations. Although it is a bit different to what I am used to as a comms and media student, I have always had an interest in planning and carrying out projects.

This role had me overseeing over 150 students, both student-coaches and players, and organizing tournaments; it was no easy task. In my frustration I quickly came to realize although I once had an interest in sports operation, it was not something I envisioned myself doing long-term.

It was not until I was working with the McMaster men’s basketball team creating creative content that I discovered what I was truly passionate about. It combined the media skills I learned in class, my personal interests and my sports media knowledge.

Giving a team who struggled on the court an online presence that did not just reflect their losses was a fun challenge. We immediately saw the positive feedback in an increase in followers and activity.

Now that I figured out my passion, it all began to seem so simple. Apply to social media positions for different sport teams in organizations? I can do that no problem. Although it was not enough.

Part of looking for a job, especially in the sports industry, is through networking. This is something I have always struggled with, so it was something I challenged myself to do this year. I first met with Camille Wallace, digital media specialist for Team Canada, who reminded me how my job as sports reporter already helps me to build these networks.

As I had started the year before, I continued to interview alumni who work in the sports industry and found a mentor in Vanessa Matyas, Marketing and Media Manager at NFL Canada.

NFL Canada’s Marketing & Media Manager Vanessa Matyas on her journey from McMaster to her dream job, and how hard work and perseverance led her there. https://t.co/TiBu0xd8kq pic.twitter.com/Ln8gt6wVRd

— The Silhouette (@theSilhouette) March 11, 2019

 

Through her advice and help, I have been able to fix up the resume I used to see no flaws in, and even land myself my first dream job interview. Unfortunately for me, due to still being in school, I was unable to move forward in the interview process.

But with positive interview feedback under my belt, I am now ready to take on the job search by storm. I know it will not be easy, but I have been, and I am ready to work hard and use what I learned while at Mac in and out the classroom.

When I look back at the beginning of my journey four years ago, I never would have thought that I would be here today. Although I do not have it all completely figured out, leaving Mac with a sense of what my purpose is something I am grateful for.

As senior year comes to an end, I am extremely grateful that despite my doubts, I gave writing with the Sil another chance. Even though there were many times I felt like I was in over my head, I could not have imagined my senior year any other way.

 

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