Golf students swing to success

The work of three Bucks New University students who took part in a new Golf Ambassadors Programme, launched by the Berks Bucks and Oxon (BB&O) Golf Partnership, has been recognised.

BA (Hons) Sport Management & Golf Studies students, James McGilvray, Rajiv Patel and Lauren Drake, were presented with special awards in recognition of their work at an awards evening hosted by the BB&O Golf Partnership and Invesco Perpetual, held at The Oxfordshire Golf Club, near Thame.

For the last year, the students have been working alongside the BB&O Golf Partnership in activities ranging from GolfMark accreditation visits at local golf clubs, to community projects, school links, and the highly successful Junior Academy Programme. They also became qualified United Kingdom Coaching Certificate (UKCC) Level 1 coaches and assisted the BB&O in coaching activities at their Junior Academy Centres.

Justine Lawrence, Development Officer at the BB&O Golf Partnership, commented: “The calibre of students selected was very high which made the training process straight forward and they very quickly got stuck into their projects and activities.

“Their contribution and youthful approach has been extremely beneficial to us and we are looking forward to a second year working together.”

The BB&O Golf Partnership linked up with Bucks New University in 2009 to launch the unique Golf Ambassadors Programme for its second year golf students. The aims of the programme are to provide students with real hands-on experience in the golf industry and to provide the BB&O Golf Partnership with high quality sports management volunteers.

Developed by Francisco Baeza (Principal lecturer at Bucks New University), Justine Lawrence and Phil Beard (Volunteer Manager of the England Golf Partnership), the programme has been very successful in its first year.

Francisco Baeza said: “This is an excellent programme and has proven very beneficial to all parties. On behalf of the University and the students, I would like to say that it is great to be working with such prestigious organisations from the golf industry.”

This year, three more students will be coached to Level 1 status and will assist the BB&O Golf Partnership coaches at three academy centres. A new work experience programme with other students will also begin this year.