The PGA in Scotland prepares to hit the road

Ahead of a scintillating summer of sport in Scotland, three postgraduate students are setting out to ensure PGA Professionals are in prime position for a profitable 2014.

Stirling University students Fabian Scheben, right, Steven Campbell, centre, and Aaron Gillen, left, have been working alongside staff at The PGA in Scotland to develop a members’ winter roadshow.

The events will run at four soon-to-be-confirmed venues across the country in March and April, and will be accompanied by a short film, which will be screened at each location and online at www.pga.info.

They will aim to give Members an insight into the work of The PGA in Scotland, revealing upcoming projects and ensuring that PGA pros are making the most of their ties with the Association ahead of a once-in-a-generation summer of sport.

Central to this summer's action will be the arrival of the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, both are expected to provide a significant boost for sport in Scotland.

And the trio, who are all studying for an MSc in Sports Management, are confident that PGA pros will be vital in ensuring people continue to pick up their golf clubs long after the stars of Gleneagles have vacated the Perthshire course’s fairways.

Gillen, 24 from Derry, was tasked with organising the logistics of the roadshow. He explained: “As a keen golfer I couldn’t wait to get started.

“It seemed like a great opportunity to contribute to the growth of golf, particularly during such a big year for sport in Scotland.

“PGA Professionals are really important figures in allowing the game of golf to fulfil its potential, and I hope this roadshow will help them to get as much out of their membership of The PGA as they can.”

For international student Scheben, the project comes as a change of pace after five years of working at a football agency.

The 26-year-old, who moved from Cologne, Germany to study, has been scripting the video and considering its message.

He said: “It’s been hard work and we’ve invested a lot of our time, but I’ve really enjoyed being a part of it.

“It has been a great opportunity for me, allowing me to get a feel for working in a professional organisation, while experiencing other things like the cultural and language change that comes with living overseas.”

For the students, the project will make up a key element of their master’s degree programme, and the results will directly influence their final grade.

Ambitious Dundee 24-year-old Campbell has been working alongside a professional production company to organise the short film. He hopes the roadshow’s success will help him secure a career abroad on completion of his studies.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing the final results of our work.

“This has been a great opportunity for me, and it really stood out from all the others because of The PGA’s worldwide reputation.

“After my studies I want to work abroad within the sports industry and I know that what I have done here will be recognised wherever I choose to go.”

Lindsay McCune, coach, education and development manager for The PGA in Scotland, commented: “We have been delighted to work with the students from the University of Stirling on the winter roadshow project.

“Each of them have brought a new way of thinking and some cutting edge research. We look forward to sharing the finished product with PGA Professionals from all over Scotland.”

Further information on the winter roadshow, including dates and venues, will be announced as soon as it is available.