Press Release

ISSUED BY UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING, DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS STUDIES, INTERNATIONAL SPORTS SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAMME

SUNSHINE OF SMILES AS
STIRLING STUDENT GOLFERS
CAP SOUTH AFRICAN TRIP
BY BEATING CHAMPIONS

By RALPH GOWRIE
Sports Performance Manager
The University of Stirling’s men’s golf team, the current British Universities’ champions, returned recently from a 10-day golf tour in South Africa that culminated in victory over Tshwane University, the reigning South African student champions. The 14-a-side match played over two days on Pretoria courses Woodhill and Wingate Park ended 15-13 in Stirling’s favour.
The Stirling team, made up of all plus-figure handicap golfers, included Scotland representatives Gavin Dear, Gordon Yates and James White. Yates, a fourth year Sports Studies student and European Palmer Cup player, gained the plaudits in winning all 3 of his matches, never having to go beyond the 15th hole.
Stirling’s captain, 3rd year Sports Studies student Bobby Rushford, commented on his side’s victory:
‘The match proved to be extremely competitive and the standard of golf played throughout was exceptionally high. In defeating the South African champions, Stirling has, once again, proved its worth as a leading institution for golf.”
Stirling’s Head Golf Coach, Gordon Niven, outlined some of the reasons for his team’s success:
“The University of Stirling provides considerable investment into its golf programme. It boasts excellent on-campus practice facilities, supports a critical mass of talented players and provides them with numerous opportunities to compete at home and abroad.”
Stirling now looks forward to an intensive period of competitive golf including the British Universities’ team stroke-play and match-play championships throughout February and March and the week-long Scottish Universities’ event at Lossiemouth in early April.

Additional notes:
*The University of Stirling has offered a golf scholarship programme since 1981.
*Stirling has awarded more than 200 golf scholarships in the past 26 years.
*Former Stirling students include Richie Ramsay (2006 US Amateur champion), Solheim Cup players Catriona Matthew and Maria Hjorth and 2007 Walker Cup captain, Colin Dalgleish.
*Stirling’s golf scholarship programme is supported by the R&A that invests more than £320,000 annually into student golf across the world.