The Principal of Elmwood College, Jim Crooks, recently visited China accompanied by Carol Borthwick, Director of International & Golf , Ian Butcher International Development Officer and Shirley Ouyang, Project Manager.

 

The visit was primarily intended to investigate the establishment of vocational training centres in Beijing, Shanghai and Hainan, as well as meeting with existing education partners.

 

Over the past nine years Elmwood has been at the heart of golf education in China, working with eight partner universities to develop golf education and training programmes with a view to providing quality staff for the ever expanding golf industry in China.

 

The Colleges International programme, funded by the R&A, is now focusing on creating a more practical, vocational system of education and training, which will involve working closely with golf clubs across China.

 

Meetings were held with the Shanghai Golf Association, the Scottish Development International’s Chinese-based team in Beijing, the Vice Governor of the Province of Hainan and numerous golf managers and developers.

 

The Elmwood delegation was warmly and enthusiastically welcomed. The busy programme of meetings provided the opportunity to build new strategic partnerships with the growing number of golf developments.

 

The visit also co-incided with the graduation ceremony of the Professional Development Award students from China Agriculture University, one of Elmwood’s first academic partners. They study a curriculum designed and verified by Elmwood to ensure the highest standards of education are used in preparing Chinese students for a career in golf. 

 

Jim Crooks presented the students with their certificates was delighted to participate in the ceremony saying, “It was fantastic to see Chinese academia working closely with industry partners. Elmwood has actively encouraged its Chinese colleagues to link with industry and it was gratifying to see this working so effectively.”