Elmwood College does it by Degree

For more than 30 years Elmwood College has developed a portfolio of golf-related programmes to meet the training needs of the golf industry. Elmwood has been synonymous with training greenkeepers and golf course managers who are employed by many of the most prestigious golf courses across the globe.

For more than 30 years Elmwood College has developed a portfolio of golf-related programmes to meet the training needs of the golf industry. Elmwood has been synonymous with training greenkeepers and golf course managers who are employed by many of the most prestigious golf courses across the globe.

Elmwood is located just a few miles from St Andrews ‘The home of golf’ with many world-class golf courses on our doorstep. The College also has links with many key industry figures whose input enriches the student experience.

The College is very much aware of it’s course provision should reflect the changing needs of industry, and through dialogue with industry and educational partners. It has been identified that there is a need to professionalise the facility management sector of the golf industry.

The College has offered a Higher National Certificate and Higher National Diploma in Golf Facility Management for 10 years. The College also delivers a portfolio of ILM and Chartered Management Institution qualifications and are grateful for the support of the CMI who play a significant role in working with the HND Golf Facility Management students in achieving their graded unit. The support comes in the form of a golf day organised by the students with the CMI representatives acting as the clients.

Working in conjunction with the University of Abertay the next step is the development of the BA in Golf Management, which has the potential to raise the profile of golf facility management not only nationally, but also internationally.

The degree programme builds on Elmwood’s HND programme and includes modules in corporate finance, relationship marketing, services strategy, recruitment and selection, golf facilities management and research methods, in order to foster business, people and financial skills for facilities management.

The course is delivered between the two institutions and is made up of lectures, practical classes, and small group discussions of case material, group working and private study. Classroom activities allow the development of team working, problem solving and the opportunity to share experiences and knowledge.

Rick Bond Section Manager for Management at Elmwood, said of the new curriculum developments, “No industry or institution can stand still and we feel that the development of this degree programme is a huge step in not only the college’s golf education provision, but in terms of potential impact on the golf facility management sector as a whole.”