Golfers at the University of Stirling can continue to perfect their putting in style thanks to further investment from the Macleod Foundation.
The University’s state-of-the-art artificial putting green has undergone a £30,000 redevelopment thanks to joint funding from the Foundation and the University.
Europe’s leading green installer Huxley has revised the shape and contours of the green to replicate modern world-class golf course design and added a fringe surround for chipping.
Funding from the Foundation saw the 210-square yard synthetic putting green first installed in 2007 and it is a key part of the University’s on campus Golf Centre alongside a short game area, medium distance driving range and the nine-hole public Airthrey Golf Course.
The Centre forms the practise base for the highly successful golf scholarship programme, led by former European Tour professional Dean Robertson.
There are 18 students on the programme, including 2013 Scottish Gold Order of Merit Champion Jack McDonald, who was also part of the European Universities Select which defeated their US counterparts in the 2014 Palmer Cup.
He said: “Golf is all about getting the ball in the hole and putting is a massive part of that. I sank a 35-footer across the green to win the Tennant Cup in 2013 and that certainly got the juices flowing. I spend half my practise time on putting and on my short game. The new putting green is excellent, it is at tournament pace which is perfect to practise on and it acts just like a green would, with different breaks to test you.”
Dean Robertson, University of Stirling High Performance Golf Coach, added: “Putting can be the difference between winning or losing the biggest golf tournaments in the world and having a state-of-the-art all-weather facility at the University Golf Centre is very important to the development of our golf scholars. To have the continued support of the Macleod Foundation is fantastic and they recognise the value we place on sporting excellence.”
The Macleod Foundation has helped support sport at the University for more than 25 years, investing in facility development and aiding a long list of athletes including current professional golfers Richie Ramsay, David Booth, Lynn Kenny and Kelsey MacDonald as well as Commonwealth Swimming medallists Todd Cooper and Robert Lee and current World U23 Triathlon Silver medallist Marc Austin.
Golf scholarships