The Berks Bucks and Oxon (BB&O) Golf Partnership and Bucks New University have extended their successful Golf Ambassadors programme partnership for a third successive year.
Two second year BA (Hons) Sports Management and Golf Studies students have been selected to work with the BB&O Golf Partnership this year. Stuart Langlands from Morningside, Edinburgh, and Michael Whytock from Wetherby, Leeds, are the successful pair chosen by the BB&O over stiff competition for the roles.
The aims of the Golf Ambassadors programme are to provide Bucks New University’s golf students with hands-on experience in the golfing industry, whilst simultaneously providing the BB&O Golf Partnership and its partners with high quality sports management volunteers to help improve the overall success of its community activities.
Stuart and Michael are currently involved in various community projects throughout the region, such as a disability project with Horizon Sports Club, a registered charity which provides unique after-school sports clubs in Buckinghamshire offering children with special needs the opportunity to develop both physically and socially through the enjoyment of sport.
Michael works for Horizon as an assistant golf coach teaching Tri and Xtreme golf to disabled children aged between 11-18 years, having gained the coaching qualification through the Golf Foundation. He said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working for Horizon. It has given me a great insight into the demands needed to teach disabled children and has developed my knowledge and understanding.
“My position as a BB&O Golf Ambassador has given me the opportunity to see the inner workings of the golf industry at close hand. I feel it is a great award and am honoured to have been chosen over many others to take this position.
“Working as an assistant coach for the BB&O Junior Academy is the first step to achieving my goal of becoming a golf professional, and I would recommend the Sports Management and Golf Studies degree at Bucks to any aspiring golfer.”
Stuart’s project involves working with the BB&O and Winter Hill Golf Club in Cookham, Berkshire, providing a six-week coaching programme for children led by a PGA coach, which will hopefully lead to membership for the children and their parents. As part of the scheme, Stuart will coach six sessions at Millride Golf Club in Ascot.
Stuart said: “The Golf Ambassadors project has been a great success so far. Gaining my PGA Level 1 award, thanks to the BB&O Golf Partnership, is something I have wanted to achieve for a while, and I have also had the opportunity to network in the golf industry and meet a number of high profile and respected individuals. Many of the people I have met I perceive as future employers, and feel this gives me a head start above the rest in terms of potential future employment.”
The Golf Ambassadors programme has been developed by Francisco Baeza, principal lecturer at Bucks New University, Justine Lawrence, Development Officer at the BB&O Golf Partnership, and Phil Beard, Volunteer Manager of the England Golf Partnership.
Justine Lawrence said: “Our relationship with Bucks New University is stronger than ever and we are very grateful to Francisco Baeza for his continued support. Each year we are delighted to be working with new students with fresh ideas – involving younger members in committee discussions, volunteer activities and BB&O projects is so important for our sport.”
Francisco Baeza added: “This is the third year that we are running the Golf Ambassadors scheme and it has proven to be very beneficial to the students, the BB&O Golf Partnership and the University. Through the close links that the University has forged over the years with the golf industry, our students are gaining invaluable experience which will set them in good stead for their future careers when they graduate.”