Scotland’s unique Golf Management degree, offered by UHI Millennium Institute (the future University of the Highlands and Islands), will – from September 2009 – be available for study with Honours for the first time.
The degree, which is delivered to school-leavers and to more established career professionals, has been taught from the Dornoch Campus of North Highland College UHI since 2001, in a bespoke facility opened by Sir Michael Bonallack – a pitching wedge away for the first green of Royal Dornoch Golf Club.
Through lectures, hands-on experiential learning and home and overseas placements, it applies current business and management techniques to the operation and management of both traditional members’ clubs and international golf resorts.
At its recent revalidation, the degree was commended for its high quality and positive approach to development; its strong links with industry – for example, each year, students assist in the running of events such as the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews; and its innovative and expanding placement programme. Currently students are undertaking placement learning at establishments as diverse as The Gleneagles Hotel (home to the 2014 Ryder Cup), Fairmont St Andrews at ‘The Home of Golf’, Pebble Beach in California, and the newly established Castle Stuart Golf Resort on the Moray Firth.
The revalidation also introduced the new Honours level of the degree which will focus on giving students a detailed understanding of how the application of effective leadership and management skills across the club, resort or organisation can positively impact on its financial viability and sustainability. In these troubled economic times, such considerations – strategic planning; the maximisation of e-business opportunities; the efficient optimisation of all your facility resources through the application of yield management; the development and deployment of marketing communications – are well worthy of consideration.
UHI’s golf management degree has a strong focus on preparing graduates for employment – with 92% of recent graduates progressing on to either jobs in the golf industry, other work or postgraduate education. Past graduates are employed in resorts: such as the Belfry, Turnberry and the K Club; traditional members clubs: such as Royal Dornoch itself, Duff Buchanan Castle and Nairn (venue of 2012 Curtis Cup); and other industry leaders: such as TaylorMade and Acushnet.
The academic staff – which include a PGA professional – work closely with golf’s governing bodies, such as the R&A, PGA, SGU and SLGA and has the backing of professional bodies within the industry and the academic establishment. Duncan Weir, Director of Golf Development at the R&A, said of the degree: “The degree teaches a range of skills of value in today’s marketplace [and] is fulfilling an industry need by producing graduates capable of working in varied positions within the game of golf”
For further details, contact: Alan Fleming: Tel. 01862 811855 or alan.fleming@thurso.uhi.ac.uk