HOME or AWAY FOR STUDENT GOLFERS - Excellent opportunities in Scotland and America

VISITS TO SEE FACILITIES AND MEET 

COACHES ESSENTIAL BEFORE SIGNING 

FROM WALTER BURNS

Scottish Junior Golf Touor

My son George, pictured below, has just been offered a place at St Andrews, starting this September. Like many of the boys, he was initially keen to go to the United States with St Andrews being his home target. 

The major difficulties with the States option was to get into a good academic university which also had a good golf programme and coaches whom he would like to work with. 

I think some of these uncertainties can only be resolved by visiting some of them before signing up.  

George had a meeting with David Watt, Director of Golf at St Andrews University, last August and decided there and then he wanted to sign up. 

David Watt has brought the golf programme up to the standard expected of the university situated in the home of golf.

The golf squad members at St Andrews have a great programme with all the Links Trust facilities available to them and every specialist support they need. 

George gets on well with David Watt and has also worked with Kevin Hale, the girls' coach. The match and tournament programme is extremely good with numerous opportunities to play in international events if you make the team. 

And with the Old Course just four minutes' walk from the Maths Building it is, as Kevin Bacon says, a “no brainer” decision.

George got the experience of playing in two university competitions last year in a Scotland Select team - the St Andrews 600 year anniversary quadrangular played over Crail, the Eden and both Fairmont courses. A great experience.  

He also played in the Stirling Invitational at Dundonald, where the “tees of the day” were laid out by Mr Robertson and they certainly were not for the faint hearted. 

There are people now working within the British university system who have improved dramatically what is available.

The important thing is that young Scottish golfers now have excellent opportunities at home and in America. We might not have many options in Scotland but they are very good ones. 

George has friends already at Stirling and in America and they all seem to be really enjoying the experience.

Walter Burns

Scottish Junior Golf Tour