The latest group of lecturers from the China - Scotland Golf Education Project arrived in Scotland in January. They represent a number of partner institutions from the China Agricultural University, Yantai Research Institute, Sanya Aviation and Tourism College on Hainan Island, Beijing Willow Golf and Hainan Kangle Garden Golf and Spa resort.
All the lecturers will be in Scotland for around 6 months and will undertake a PDA award in Golf (Club) Management or Golf Course Management as well as learning about the Scottish education system’s teaching and assessment methods.
The Sanya College in Hainan is rapidly expanding its portfolio and now has around 200 students on their new golf major. This area of China is a developing tourism destination so golf is booming!
The Yantai Research Institute of the China Agricultural University is also close to a new golf development area in Shangdong province.
Carol Borthwick, Director of Golf and International Affairs comments that, “ Through the China-Scotland Project, these two institutions will be taking golf education in China to a new level, with the development of full-time education programmes. This is a welcome advancement as these courses will include skills development as well as the technical level training which is much needed in China. The College is currently investigating ways of progressing skills development training as a new direction for the current project.’ Carol commented, “Most Universities we partner are more comfortable working at a degree level but what China’s golf industry needs now is more personnel with excellent practical skills to improve the quality of the golf course surfaces and the experience of the golfers on and off the course. This is why it is crucial that we also work with golf clubs across China who can help us with the practical facilities to develop this type of training and education.”