Ryder Cup Golf swings into Bedford College

[Sue Gough]

The Golf Academy at Bedford College is in full swing with a “Ryder Cup” challenge that pits the skills of students against those of staff.

The challenge takes place over three sessions, with the winning team to be announced at Bedford College's Oscars Awards Ceremony on November 25th.

Partnership with Pavenham Park Golf Club gives students a unique opportunity to develop their golf skills or learn for the first time, with professional coaching at one of the county's most prestigious golf courses. The Golf Academy is run alongside main courses and is open to all students at the College.

Mick Rae, Sports Lecturer at Bedford College, runs the Golf Academy and explains:

“The Golf Academy encourages and supports young golfers as they develop their skills and already some of our students are playing at county level. Young people may play golf but have little opportunities to continue developing their skills after leaving school. At Bedford College we offer a full range of academic and vocational courses that run alongside the Golf Academy to give students a well rounded educational experience.

“Golf coaching offers students the chance to improve their skills and gives them added confidence and social skills for life.

“If you can apply yourself to sport, you can apply those skills in your studies and that is a win win situation. Skills, determination, motivation and confidence learnt from golf can be applied to all walks of life.”

PGA Head Professional at Pavenham Park Golf Club, Steve Vinnicombe, coaches students of the Golf Academy and says:

“We have been in partnership with the Golf Academy at Bedford College for the last 4 years and Mick Rae has helped grow the golf academy and make it more accessible to students who may not have had the opportunity before.

“The aim is to make our affiliation even tighter and accessible to people who might want to develop their golf skills or simply 'have a go' and try out golf.”

Students of the Golf Academy receive free coaching at Pavenham Park Golf Club one afternoon a week and that is followed up by sports coaching within College, all running alongside the courses they are studying.

The Golf Academy is now keen to widen its reach by encouraging female students to come along to the golf academy thus developing a Ladies Section.

The Golf Academy would like to develop links with local schools and colleges and invites them to express their interest to play matches against the academy golfers, be part of a local league and include themselves in an open tournament to be held annually at Pavenham Park Golf Club. This can only help towards encouraging more young people to take up and enjoy the great game.

Watch out Monty - Bedford College's Golf Academy is on the ball with young players ready to make their mark when Europe defends the Ryder Cup in Chicago in 2012.

Editors' notes

1. Issued by Manners PR for Bedford College.

2. For more info contact Sue Gough at Manners PR on 07921 514 940.

3. For more about Bedford College see www.bedford.ac.uk