Dean Robertson is Scottish Student Sport’s Coach of the Year

The University of Stirling’s Head of Golf Dean Robertson has been crowned Coach of the Year at the Scottish Student Sport Awards.

Dean received the prestigious award at Stirling Court Hotel in recognition of his leadership of the University’s high-performance golf programme – whose athletes have achieved remarkable national and international success over the past 12 months.

It is the third consecutive year that a University of Stirling staff member has won Coach of the Year, after Chris Geddes, Head Coach of the Men’s Football team, won the accolade in 2022 and 2023.

In celebrating Dean’s successes, Scottish Student Sport (SSS) said: “Under Dean’s guidance, the University of Stirling Golf [Programme] has achieved remarkable national and international success in the past 12 months. His golfers have delivered consistent podium finishes across all SSS Golf competitions (men’s, women’s and team), and delivered team league success in both the Conference Cup and BUCS Championship.

“His athletes also achieved top three finishes in the R&A Student Tour, while Dean has been appointed as the GB&I Captain for the Walker Cup – setting a new benchmark for student golf at the highest level in the amateur game.”

Dean Robertson is Head of Golf at the University of Stirling.

On receiving his award, Dean said: “I am extremely humbled, honoured and proud to receive this recognition from Scottish Student Sport.

“I am incredibly proud of our talented athletes here at the University of Stirling – Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence – and look forward to continuing to support their success.”

The award comes just months after Dean watched his Stirling Mixed 1s team be crowned best student golfers in the UK – after winning the BUCS National Championships. Ellie Docherty and Ross Laird also won their respective Order of Merit titles too – confirming their positions as the best female and male student golfers in the UK for 2023/24.

In February, Dean was announced as Captain of the GB&I Walker Cup team, to play against the United States in California next year.

Congratulations

David Bond, Head of Performance Sport at the University of Stirling, said: “Congratulations to Dean on this important recognition – which reflects his passion for golf and his skilled coaching, which he uses to nurture our athletes here at Stirling.

“The programme has enjoyed a phenomenal year – delivering trophies and developing our next generation of golfing talent. It has also been a fantastic 12 months for Dean personally; being appointed GB&I Captain for the Walker Cup – a brilliant achievement.”

Success as a player

As an amateur, Dean won the Scottish Youths Amateur Open Championship in 1991, the Scottish Amateur Stroke Play Championship in 1992, and the Scottish Amateur Championship in 1993.

As a professional, Dean won the European Tour’s Italian Open in 1999 and the Scottish PGA Championship in 2006. He also competed in The Open Championship on four occasions, with his best finish being tied 26th at St Andrews in 2000, and played in the Walker Cup.

High-performance programme

Dean has led the high-performance golf programme at Stirling – Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence – since 2010. During his tenure, he has developed some of the country’s most promising golfing talent. In recent years, highlights have included former scholar Louise Duncan joining the professional Ladies European Tour after excelling on the programme, and Lorna McClymont being crowned best female student golfer in the UK in 2023, and George Cannon the best male. McClymont also won the 2022/23 R&A Student Order of Merit and three major amateur competitions – the Scottish Open, Irish Open and Welsh Open.

Scholars have also enjoyed international success under Dean’s leadership – being selected for major team competitions, including the Arnold Palmer Cup, Curtis Cup and Vagliano Trophy; competing in competitions across Europe and the United States. Notably, in 2009 Dean was Head Coach of the Arnold Palmer Cup Team.

Stirling swimmer Katie Shanahan – who will compete for Team GB at this summer’s Olympics – was shortlisted for Female Athlete of the Year at the SSS Awards, while the Rugby Club was in the running for Club of the Year. The Men’s Football Club Chaplain and Board Member, Gary Caldwell, was shortlisted for Volunteer of the Year.