2023 Golf Program in Scotland was a Smashing Success

We are thrilled to announce that our very first ever golf study abroad program in Scotland has just concluded, and it was a smashing hit! Candidates came from Butler University, University of Tennesse, Appalachia State University and Cal State Long Beach. Our students, over some pretty long days (it doesn’t get dark in Scotland until 10 pm in Summer) learned about the history and culture of the birthplace of golf, while also improving their golf skills on some of the most iconic courses in the world every day. They expereinced the beauty and diversity of Scotland’s landscapes, from the rugged Highlands to the charming cities. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our golf and sports rec enthusiasts, and we can’t wait to share more stories and photos with you. Keep on reading, where we will reveal some of the highlights and challenges of this amazing adventure.

During their first week, the golf students learned how to set up coaching sessions for kids. This prepares them for live coaching the following week, which is a great opportunity to inspire the next generation of golfers. Besides learning about the coaching process, the golf candidates also received some one-to-one coaching to aid their own performance (given by SRUC’s professional golf coaches) as well as high-performance competitive training covering all aspects of their game.

Our 2023 Golf program candidates get more than just playing time on the green. They got to visit the R&A World Golf Museum as part of the History & Development of Golf module where they got a personal tour with the museum curator, who gave an introduction to the origins of the game. Afterward, they had the opportunity to experience golf as it was back in the 19th Century playing hickory golf at Europe’s only authentic hickory course. This course coincidentally sits just two miles from the students’ campus!

This year’s golf program candidates also had a chance to participate in the annual Alumni Golf Event at SRUC. This event involved some 60+ alumni of the golf program at SRUC’s Elmwood Campus, many of wom are now Head Professionals and Directors of Golf at world-famous golfing locations around the UK and Europe.

What an amazing experience for our 2023 golf program students! Our students played at some of the most famous and prestigious golf courses in the world, and learned from the experts who run them. Playing golf on a true Scottish Links course is where the game evolved, and our 2023 candidates experienced the adaptations required to play golf in different golfing environments! They enjoyed the scenic views and the historic charm of the courses, such as Dukes in St Andrews, Hickory Golf Course at Kingarrock, Dumbarnie Links, Carnoustie Links, Gleneagles Ryder Cup Course, Kingsbarns Links, and as well as SRUC’s own Elmwood Golf Course. They had a blast swinging their clubs and making new friends along the way. It was truly a memorable experience and a dream come true for any golf lover!

Our 2023 golf program students put their game to the test at the very challenging Dukes Course and the Old Course at St. Andrews. And for the final couple of days, they were successful through the Ballot to play the Old Course, St. Andrews. (Holy Grail in Golf!)

Here, our golf students got to visit Dumbarnie Links, which was voted World’s Best New Course in 2021. The General manager spent some time with the students giving insights into the business model of Dumbarnie and the Scottish Golf industry.

This visit was to Carnoustie where the students had a tour with the head superintendent who was also an alumni of SRUC.

Visit to the World Leading Gleneagles Hotel & Golf Courses, where students were given a tour by the Director of Golf. They then played the PGA Centenary courses which hosted the Ryder Cup in 2014 and the Solheim Cup in 2018.

Another globally ranked golf course which the students visited during their third week. Here, they got a tour and insights into operations by the Director of Golf.

As part of their work experience, the golf study abroad students had a chance to coach local school kids. This was a fun and rewarding part of the program where they got to share their passion & skills. The coaching sessions took place at Elmwood’s own golf facility and encompassed all facets of the game!