STIRLING UNIV LAUNCH ANDREW COLTART GOLF SCHOLARSHIP

Photo shows (l-r) Jack McDonald, Graeme Robertson, David Booth, Dean Robertson (University Performance Golf Coach), Andrew Coltart, Ian Rae (SGU National Coach), James White, Fraser McKenna and Brian Soutar. Image supplied by  Mark Ferguson.

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING
Former European Tour professional Andrew Coltart will mentor a leading golfer from the University of Stirling through a dedicated new scholarship.
Coltart recently retired from the professional circuit following an impressive 19-year career which included two European Tour wins and selection for the 1999 Ryder Cup.
He will now lend not only his name, but his vast golfing knowledge to a gifted young player at Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence through the Andrew Coltart Golf Scholarship.
The scholarship will provide crucial funding support and see Coltart work closely with the selected player, providing coaching tips and passing on his own experiences of life as a professional.
It builds on the University's International Sports Scholarship Programme, which supports 18 promising male and female golfers each year, providing funding and academic flexibility so students can excel in their sport and their studies.
Since it was first established more than 30 years ago, the programme has helped many players develop into touring professionals, including Richie Ramsay and Catriona Matthew.
Currently, the men's programme is managed by ex-Tour player Dean Robertson, who has led his charges to the Scottish, British and European Universities team titles.
The Andrew Coltart Golf Scholarship was announced at a development event at Dundonald Link where six University of Stirling golf scholars compete against a Scottish Golf Select side.
The Stirling team featured Scotland international and current European Universities individual champion Graeme Robertson* as well as Scotland Boys International Jack McDonald.
Representing the Select side was, amongst others, Stirling graduate James White and 2011 Scottish Fuels Sutherland Chalice winner Fraser McKenna.
Andrew Coltart said: "I am delighted to be able to provide this opportunity to a gifted young golfer and pass on my experience to hopefully help them make the step into the professional game.
"The programme at the University of Stirling continues to go from strength to strength and I can't help but be impressed with the set-up and facilities. I must confess I wasn't academically talented enough to get a University scholarship, which is a fantastic way to prepare for a career on and off the golf course."
University Sports Performance Manager Raleigh Gowrie said: "The Andrew Coltart Golf Scholarship provides an opportunity for a very talented young golfer to combine high performance golf and education, encouraging our best young talent to remain in Scotland.
"Many performance sport programmes just provide technical advice and guidance, but this provides a unique opportunity to work closely with a golfer who has vast experience playing in high pressure situations."
The University's golf programme also receives support from the R and A, who have earmarked Stirling as a model of good practice for sports scholarships.
* Graeme Robertson and Jack McDonald also receive support from Winning Students, Scotland's national sports scholarship programme for student athletes.