Nichola getting best of both worlds at Cathcart Castle

Nichola Ferguson is returning to the PGA National Assistants’ Final after combining the two biggest interests in life - teaching and golf.

The Cathcart Castle Golf Club assistant originally wanted to be a schoolteacher.

But she was also a keen golfer and the Glasgow-based player discovered that PGA training gave her the best of both worlds.

Now she has completed her three year course and will take one last shot at playing in the £32,000 Birdietime-supported Assistants’ final which will be played at Farleigh Golf Club in Surrey between July 3-5.

Ferguson, who has only been at Cathcart Castle since April, earned a place in the event for the second time when she finished eighth in the qualifying competition held at Livingstone’s Deer Park Golf & Country Club in May.

She played in the grand final two years ago at Little Aston Golf Club in Birmingham - but definitely hopes she does better at Farleigh after missing the cut in 2016.

“I wanted to get more into coaching with the chance to play a bit more which is why I joined Cathcart Castle,” she said.

“This will be my second appearance in the final, the first one at Little Aston didn’t go too well. I didn’t really know what it was about and I didn’t play well. But it’ll be a rare visit to play in England for me, it’s hard to justify going there to compete most of the year.

“It’s just a bit too far away so I tend to play mainly in Order of Merit events in Scotland.”

Now she plans to focus on her career in golf after coming through PGA training.

“I always wanted to be a teacher, I’ve always wanted to be on that side of things, but I also had an interest in golf and spoke to quite a few people about doing the PGA course,” she said.

“Everbody recommended doing it. But I also liked the studying aspect and learning about golf, especially the business side. I’ve furthered my knowledge about golf. It’s also giving me a good relationship with the club members as well.”

Other players from Scotland due to play at Farleigh include: Jamie McLeary (Deer Park);  Chris Curran (Bathgate Golf Club); Fraser McKenna (Caldwell Golf Club);  Anthony O’Donnell (Largs Golf Club); Adam Wills (Lanark Golf Club) and Darryn McBratney (Carnwath Golf Club)