University of Stirling golfers were crowned victors at the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Golf Championship – and it was the only female golfer in the field that helped seal the win.
Business and sport student Gemma Batty beat the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) player Sebastiano Galeppini 3/2 in the singles, taking the Stirling golf team to Grand Slam success.
Gemma was joined by fellow golf scholars Craig Howie, Mathias Eggenberger, James Wilson, Laird Shepherd and Chris Maclean to defeat UHI convincingly at Notts Golf Club in Nottinghamshire.
As reigning champions in the BUCS team match play and stroke play championships, as well as the European Universities Golf Championship, the team now holds the grand slam of student golf titles.
Gemma said: “It was a real honour to compete as part of this team which plays to such a high standard. I represented the University in all of the matches in the championship and received so much support from the boys on the team, as well as the coach. I feel like this success has set me up for the rest of the season.”
There was more good news for Stirling’s golfing cohort, with four students chosen to be part of Team GB at the World University Championships.
Gemma Batty, Chloe Goadby, Craig Howie, and Christopher Maclean make up 80 per cent of the British squad and will travel to Brive-la-Gaillarde in France at the end of June to compete against other international University teams.
Gemma added: “It’s a dream to represent Great Britain so to be chosen for the team twice in two years feels so special. It’s fantastic that so many of the team are from Stirling – I think these friendships will give us added support at the competition.”
The news comes shortly after Mathias Eggenberger was announced for the prestigious European Arnold Palmer Cup team.
Head Coach Dean Robertson said: “The great run of success in recent weeks by our University of Stirling golfing athletes has been fitting reward for the hard work and commitment they have shown throughout the year. We’re extremely proud of the achievements of each of our golfers and will continue to strive to further raise the performance benchmark of student golf here in Europe.
“To have four of our players named within Team GB for the World University Championships and one player qualify for the European Arnold Palmer Cup team is another fantastic opportunity for Stirling players to showcase their developing skills against the best in the world.”
Notes for editors
- Background information
Media enquiries to Corrie Campbell, Communications Officer on 01786 466 169 or c.r.campbell@stir.ac.uk.
To out more about golf scholarships at the University of Stirling visit www.stir.ac.uk/sport/scholarships/golf.