Get into the swing of it with GCU Golf

Students are being offered the chance to take part in free golf lessons thanks to one of GCU’s newest sports clubs.

Doctor of Physiotherapy student Scott Lusk teamed up with GCU Students’ Association to form GCU Golf over the course of this summer.

“I’ve played since I was 10 years old but never really competitively until I was about 14,” said Scott.

“I then went to Uni in Edinburgh for my Undergraduate but I didn’t have my clubs there with me to play. I’ve got a lot more interested in golf since then, particularly over the last year. A few of my friends have actually taken it up as well and I helped coach them last winter in preparation for summer. They’ve now joined golf clubs, so we all play together quite regularly.”

Having missed out on the opportunity to play golf in Edinburgh as a student, Scott was keen to make the most of his spare time when he pitched up in Glasgow.

Scott explained: “I’d been hoping GCU might have a golf team up and running, but that wasn’t the case. I thought I might as well be the one to get it started because there are so many people that want to get into golf and don’t have that opportunity.

“A lot of people at Uni have quite a bit of free time where they can practice and enjoy everything the game has to offer. I also wanted to start it for selfish reasons as well because it gives me more people to play with!”

After searching on the GCU Students’ Association Website, Scott got in contact with Activities Manager, Gordon McTweed, to help get everything in place.

“After sorting everything with Gordon, I then contacted a few of the other sports clubs at GCU to find out if they had any members that play golf. Slowly but surely we began to get more interest and there was also a lot of people coming to our stall at Freshers’ Fayre in September.”

There are now 20 official members of GCU Golf and Scott’s hoping that number will increase further through a range of exciting new opportunities.

He explained: “We’re in the process of getting a deal with a local golf club which will allow more people to play over winter.

“Starting next week, we’re also going to be doing six weeks of free lessons with a professional. Everyone that’s a member of the club and paid their joining fees will have the opportunity to get lessons on a first come, first served basis. We’re going to run it just now and then maybe look at doing it in February again. Winter is basically like a pre-season opportunity for everyone to practice and get a bit more confident, so we’re looking for our members to take full advantage of that.”

Once the lessons are over and the better weather returns (fingers crossed), Scott and the rest of the club will be looking to play on a more regular basis.

“We’re hoping to get a full team in place and play friendly matches with other Universities,” said Scott.

“It would also be nice to hold events within the club and we’re going to look at having our very own GCU Open.

“Obviously the big barrier with the summer break each year is that people will go home, but that then gives us the opportunity to visit everyone’s local courses.

“We might also try and do a deal with local clubs to see if we can get summer memberships for the students that remain in Glasgow. There’s even been chat about an end of year golf holiday, but we’ll see what happens!”

GCU Golf is open to students of all abilities, and Scott believes it offers the perfect environment for members to switch off from their studies.

He explained: “Everyone is welcome here. We’ve got two female members so far but it would be great to get more because golf is a sport open to everyone.

“The free lessons are a good starting point because it allows everyone to start off in a relaxed setting. It’s definitely not an easy sport, it can be really frustrating, but this will be a good way for everyone to experience it.”

Scott added: “For me, there’s nothing better than getting outside. Being on a golf course is a great way to get fresh air and also one of the best ways to spend time with your mates. I know Scotland’s not got the greatest weather but you can still have a good laugh when you don’t take it too seriously!”

Interested in getting involved? You can become a member through the GCU Students’ Association Website, and keep up to date with GCU Golf on Instagram

By Ross Clark      
Got an SHLS or GSBS story? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk or message me on Twitter