Ryan Sun, Here Comes (and Goes) the Sun
Imagine arriving on campus the week before classes start without ever having seen the campus in person. Ryan Sun (RPTM 2026) did just that. “I played competitive golf in high school, so I looked up professional golf management programs on Google. I looked it up on Google Streets and it looked okay.”
“At first when I applied, I thought I would be in a city like Philadelphia,” he said. “I’m a city guy – Vancouver, Bejing, and London.” Despite what he saw on Google Streets, Ryan selected Penn State and the RPTM/PGM program because of the program’s reputation. “Golf is more developed in the United States.”
Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, he moved to China when he was three. His father is Chinese. His mother is Canadian Mongolian. Ryan attended school in China until he was in 4th grade. From there, he moved to London to attend a boarding school. University or “Uni” as it is called in Great Britain, has brought Ryan to the United States and RPTM where his major is PGA Professional Golf Management (PGA PGM).
“My whole family plays golf,” he said. “My dad has been playing for 20+ years. My mom took it up during COVID. I’ve been playing golf since I was 3 when I started going with my Dad.”
From Canada to China to England to the United States, Ryan is taking advantage of everything he can on his pathway to his career. “My goal is to eventually open a golf academy or training center either in Asia or North America.”
With family so far away, Ryan has built a network. As a Penn State student, Ryan arrived at University Park and participated in International Student orientation activities his first week. He met a student from Germany (also majoring in RPTM) and another from Botswana who he considers to be his best friends. “We met that first week and they have become my closest friends.”
He noted the connection with his peers and faculty in PGM. “The program is small, so we are like a fraternity. We share the same interests and classes. The faculty are very supportive.” Ryan has received several scholarships based on his classroom and golf performance.
Students in the PGM major are required to complete four internships to earn a degree. This summer, Ryan is interning with the Wentworth Club in Surrey, England, not far from Windsor Castle.
“I did my first internship at Wentworth, where I am now. I decided to do my second one last summer in the United States to learn more about the differences in business models. That was at the Woodmont Club in Rockville, Maryland. Next year, my last one will also be somewhere in the United States. I want to get a balance of US and International golf experiences.” He noted that many of his friends from boarding school are still in London and provide a good social network for him.
Ryan has taken advantage of the optional travel embedded courses that are offered through PGA PGM. He has enrolled in the Spring Break courses that alternate yearly between taking students to St Andrews, Scotland as well as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Oregon. Ryan has served as the class representative as well as the International Relations Chair for the PGM Student Society. He and other PGA PGM students recently represented Penn State in the Mason-Dixon Championship.
When not playing golf, Ryan enjoys going to the gym, hanging out with friends, and cooking. “I think I got the cooking from my Mom. She owned a restaurant in China for several years,” he shared.
In sharing advice to students considering coming to Penn State, Ryan offered this. “Be brave. Be open. Before coming here, I never knew American Football was a thing. Look for new experiences and places to find joy.”
Ryan will walk at commencement in May of 2026 with his proud parents in the audience. He will complete his final internship and graduate in December of 2026. What will come after that? Who knows! “Travel is no big deal for me. Who knows where I may end up for my final internship?” Reflecting on the differences in the countries where he’s lived, including the United States, Ryan laughed as he said, “portion sizes.” His favorite food, however, is his mother’s home cooking.
There is a saying, “Wherever you go becomes part of you somehow.” Without a doubt, Ryan Sun will be taking Penn State with him wherever he goes.