Born and raised in mainland China, Peicheng Chen has always felt a deep connection to golf. From an early age, the sport became more than just a game—it was a passion. At just 15, Chen made waves as the only amateur player to qualify for the main event of the Volvo China Open. That was the moment he knew: he wanted to pursue a career as a professional golfer.
In the spring of 2025, Houlang Media sat down with Chen to learn about his goals, his journey, and the sacrifices he’s made along the way.
For Chen, golf is more than just a sport. It’s a teacher of life’s most important lessons. As he puts it, “Unlike other sports where teammates can share responsibilities and tasks, golf is more of a solo sport. You need to be honest [to yourself] and fully focused. It’s often about challenging yourself.”
This mindset has pushed Chen to constantly seek opportunities to grow and improve, both on and off the course. In 2021, Chen took a big step toward his dream by accepting a full scholarship to St. John’s University in the U.S. There, he quickly made a name for himself, becoming captain of the men’s golf team. By February 2025, the 22-year-old had achieved something extraordinary: he joined PGA Tour professionals Andy Svoboda and Keegan Bradley as one of only three St. John’s men’s golfers since 1997 to win three individual titles in a single season. It was a milestone that brought him closer than ever to his goal of turning pro.
But Chen’s journey has never been easy. As a student-athlete in high school, he often felt left out. Balancing intense training with schoolwork left little time for socializing. “I barely had any time to spend with you all [his classmates] and to get to know you better,” Chen admits. “Even though we knew each other and got along well, I didn’t have many truly close friends.”
Despite these challenges, Chen never lost sight of his dream. After his upcoming graduation in the spring of 2025, Chen is ready to take the next step. He plans to compete in professional tournaments, starting with the Korn Ferry Tour or similar second-tier tours, and work his way up to becoming a high-level tour pro.
For Chen, this journey has been about more than just golf—it’s been about growth, resilience, and staying true to himself.
Written by Jared Cai
Video produced by Danni Shuai and Jared Cai
Houlang Media is a video-based project driven by a diverse team of students located around the world. The project produces videos on China-related people, culture, and social phenomena from a humanistic angle.
The views and opinions expressed in this video are solely those of the creator and do not reflect the views of any affiliated organizations, institutions, or individuals.
