First pro golf degree launched

Highlands university joins forces with Royal Dornoch to deliver an exciting new course

ROYAL DORNOCH has teamed-up with the University of the Highlands and Islands to establish Scotland’s first-ever degree course for budding professional golfers.

From September, amateurs with a desire to pursue a career in the sport can combine the classroom with the fairway by studying for a BA (Hons) professional golf qualification.

The four-year degree will be based at the Dornoch campus of North Highland College UHI, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands, and next to the Royal Dornoch GC.

LEGACY

The degree has even earned the support of Jack Nicklaus, winner of a record 18 major championships, who has praised Dornoch’s role in developing education and promoting golf.

“Royal Dornoch has such a rich history in the landscape of golf, but it also has a legacy in the development of the game, shaping both the next generation of golfers and the next generation of designers,” said Nicklaus.

“I fully support the University of the Highlands and Islands, in association with Royal Dornoch, in their efforts to provide education within the golf industry and beyond. I hope you will agree it is in the best interest of the future of this great game.”

The degree programme will focus on themes to prepare budding pros for the demands of the golf industry. The opportunity to combine the themes of coaching and golf equipment technology with sports science and business will aid students’ preparation for a range of career paths.

The course combines practical training, coaching and playing opportunities with study in academic subject areas. Students will also work in industry-based placement opportunities throughout their degree to further develop and apply their knowledge.

To be eligible, students must have a current golf handicap of 4.4 or lower for men, and 6.4 or lower for ladies.

Former LET golfer Lesley Mackay has recently taken up a lecturing role with the university and will be directly involved in the development and delivery of the degree programme.

She said: “This is an exciting, enterprising and innovative degree programme, not only for the University of the Highlands and Islands but also for Scotland.

“There is no other degree programme like it in Scotland and it gives an opportunity to aspiring golfers to reach their potential, both as a golfer and academically.”

For more information on the new course, log-on to www.uhi.ac.uk/golf or, alternatively, call 01463 279000.

In Other News...