Rushford targets coaching success after graduation glory

Pictured (l-r): Titleist's Matthew Johnson, PGA Captain Nicky Lumb, Bobby Rushford and Bernard Gallacher.

A contemporary of newly-crowned Masters’ champion Danny Willett is in celebratory mood after claiming runner-up in the Titleist PGA Assistant of the Year awards.

Scot Bobby Rushford, based at Glenbervie Golf Club, went toe-to-toe with Willett in home international clashes as amateurs a decade ago – the Englishman coming out on top in their battles.

But a few years on and Rushford, 28, was all smiles as he was recognised for his feats on the PGA Foundation Degree at the PGA’s Annual Graduation ceremony held at the University of Birmingham on Friday April 22.

Rushford’s efforts saw him collect a cheque for £2,500 from Titleist brand director Matthew Johnson, former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher and PGA captain Nicky Lumb. The Assistant of the Year title went to fellow Scot Keir McNicoll.

But it is another Scot that Rushford recognised in providing him with the key to his chosen career path – former European Tour winner Dean Robertson.

Their paths crossed at the University of Stirling where Robertson coached the golf team which included the talented Rushford, who achieved a BA Honours degree in Sports and Business Management and a MSC in Sports Management.

Rushford won the Scottish University Order of Merit in 2010 and captained the uni team to Scottish, British and European titles the following year.

“Dean is a high performance coach at the university and always working with the team,” said Rushford.

“I was in my fifth and final year at university, and I’d had a really good year including going to Peru to represent the R&A.

“Dean and I had a real good chat about what I was going to do with my career and based on that, he was the biggest single influence on getting me into coaching and taking the PGA degree.

“I was a full-time amateur while at uni and based on my degree could have gone down the sports management route. It was apparent that the ideal dream of playing on the European Tour was something I wouldn’t fulfil but I had the drive to go down the coaching route and I was fortunate to get an opportunity to become an assistant professional at Swanston Golf Club.”

Rushford, who was introduced to the sport as a young child by his father and was competing at the age of 10, is now running his own coaching academy and is also an assistant coach at his old university.

“I enjoy my coaching as I am very passionate about it,” he added.

“I am at the start of my career and who knows where it can take me but I’m working at the university and would like to progress and work with the national set up too with the Scottish Golf Union.”

The PGA training programme, encompassing the three year Foundation Degree, was founded more than 50 years ago and covers all aspects of golf including business, equipment technology and repairs, rules and tournament organisation, sports science and sports psychology.

Training and education remain an integral part of The PGA - it also runs an honours degree in association with the University of Birmingham and this year has launched a new partnership with the University of Highlands and Islands in Scotland.

Once qualified, PGA Members undergo a process of continual professional development to keep them up to speed with all the latest developments in the sport and wider golf industry.

PGA chief executive Sandy Jones said: “The PGA Graduation day is always inspirational and gives me great confidence each year the game of golf is in good hands for generations to come.

“The quality of the graduates coming through our PGA training programme are second to none and there’s no doubt they are starting at the beginning of their careers which will take them to almost any corner of the world.

“I congratulate each and every one of them for their hard work and effort they have put into obtaining the qualification. I wish them all success wherever the game of golf takes them.”

Matthew Johnson, Titleist brand director, said: “We are pleased to continue our support of the Titleist PGA Assistant of the Year award, recognising this as a starting point of the PGA's commitment to provide its members with a framework for lifelong learning.

“Titleist has had a long standing commitment to PGA Professionals, we realise and endorse that they play a key role in the development and growth of the game across all levels, and we are delighted to support the next generation of qualified professionals, we look forward to working with them and would like wish them well with their future careers.”