Highland tee-off for golf BA degree
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A FAMOUS golf club has joined with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) to offer Scotland’s first degree course for budding professional golfers.
From September amateur players who want 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, part of the UHI, and next to the Royal Dornoch Golf Club.
The degree has won support from Jack Nicklaus, winner of a record 18 Major championships, who has praised Dornoch’s role in developing education and promoting golf.
Jack Nicklaus said: "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.
"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 women.
The new degree further enhances the UHI’s golf provision and will complement its existing BA (Hons) Golf Management degree, also delivered at the Dornoch campus.
• To find out more about the new professional golf degree, there is an opportunity to meet the course team at Fairmont St Andrews on March 8. See www.uhi.ac.uk/golf for details.
