LOUGHBOROUGH EXPANDS GOLF SCHOLARSHIPS

Loughborough University, synonymous with success in sport and sports-related research and education, has announced that it is to expand its golf scholarships scheme following a cash injection from the Royal & Ancient Golf Club.

Loughborough was recently designated as one of the National Network Centres of Excellence for the English Institute of Sport and the generic training facilities will be of great value to the sport scholars.

The sports scholarship scheme covers 16 sports including golf. This year eight male golf scholars are studying at Loughborough alongside another 49 members of the golf club. However with the increase in scholarship allocation, Loughborough hopes to see this number rise over the next few years.

The golf scholarships offer students a cash award each academic year – typically around £1,000, but the R & A will recognise high level achievement and support to a greater extent. The team has its own professional coach and organiser and has access to a number of national coaching professionals. Playing facilities at Longcliffe and Rothley Park Golf Clubs at considerably reduced rates and the use of Charnwood Driving Range are also available to the golfers.

In addition, the scholarship students are offered physiotherapy, expert nutritional advice and sports psychology. They also have access to extensive indoor and outdoor training and competition facilities (the standard of which is to improve dramatically following lottery funding).

On the academic side, students receive a high level of support from tutors and a Sports Scholarship Tutor, with the option of extending degree studies by a year.

Because the Sports Technology Research Group at Loughborough is an internationally recognised centre for equipment design and testing, golf scholars also have the chance to test golf equipment from the major suppliers in the game.

To be eligible for a golf scholarship, contenders must have a handicap of 4 or better, demonstrate commitment and fulfil the normal academic requirements for either undergraduate or postgraduate entry.

In order to hone the students competition edge, they are also given the opportunity to experience competitive golf in the British Universities Team and Individual Championships as well as matches against local clubs.

In fact the Loughborough University Golf Team won the British Universities Team Matchplay Championship in 2001 when they beat St Andrews at Lindrick, clinching the match in a sudden-death play-off.

On an individual basis, Kirsty Taylor (nee Speak) graduated seven years ago and has since enjoyed success on the Evian Tour. Last year she finished second on the official money list with winnings of £82,908.

Successful sports men and women who have graduated from Loughborough include Sebastian Coe, Steve Backley, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Fran cotton, Bob Wilson, and Nick Knight.

In 1995 Loughborough Students’ Sports Foundation (LSSF) was established to assist talented students succeed in both their sporting and academic development. One of the first recipients was Paula Radcliffe.