Scotland: Golf degree launched at university

Scottish students will be able to combine the classroom with the fairway after the launch of the country’s first degree in professional golf.

The four-year BA (Hons) course will be offered by the University of the Highlands and Islands from September, with the backing of Jack Nicklaus.

Nicklaus said the course had his full support, adding that it was “in the best interest of the future of this great game”.

The degree will be based at the university’s North Highland College, beside Royal Dornoch, and for students to gain admission they must have low handicaps – 4.4 or lower for men and 6.4 or lower for women.

‘There is no other degree like it’ Among the lecturers on the course will be Lesley Mackay, a former European Tour golfer, who described it as an “exciting, enterprising and innovative degree programme”.

She added: “There is no other degree programme like it in Scotland and it gives an opportunity to aspiring golfers to reach their potential, both as a golfer and academically.”

The university explained that the course combines practical training, coaching and playing opportunities with study in academic subject areas.

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