University of Edinburgh launches new Golf Performance Programme in partnership with Loretto School

The innovative programme will be delivered in partnership with Loretto School, who host one of the UK’s leading golf academies, who will provide coaching from PGA professionals and access to state-of-the-art practice facilities. The initiative is open to University of Edinburgh students who meet the entry-level performance programme criteria, ensuring that talented golfers can pursue excellence both on the course and in the classroom. 

As part of the partnership, Edinburgh Sport will offer scholarship opportunities alongside access to the University’s leading sports science and medicine support services. In addition, the sportscotland Scottish Institute of Sport has committed to develop a cutting-edge golf biomechanics laboratory at the University’s Pleasance Sports Complex, cementing Edinburgh’s position as a hub for golf innovation combined with athlete development.

Mark Munro, Director of Sport & Active Health at the University of Edinburgh, said:

The University of Edinburgh is flanked by the most incredible golf coasts (East Lothian and Fife) in the world. We are a top-ranking, world-class university that wants to provide performance golf opportunities for any student golfer who meets a standard both in a golf context as well as academically. We are keen to provide world-class academic opportunities for the UK (and international) top golfers who have aspirations to move into the professional tour playing ranks on both the men’s and women’s fronts.

Pete Richardson, Head of Loretto School, added:

Loretto has a proud tradition of developing young golfers through our world-renowned golf academy, and we are thrilled to extend this expertise into higher education by partnering with the University of Edinburgh. Together, we can provide a pathway that combines outstanding academic opportunities with first-class coaching and facilities. This collaboration will ensure that talented golfers can continue to progress their sporting ambitions while studying at one of the world’s leading universities.

Clare Queen, Performance Director at Scottish Golf, welcomed the announcement:

It is fantastic that the University of Edinburgh are now offering golf scholarship and performance programme opportunities in golf. As a world-leading academic institution, along with their long tradition of producing world-class athletes across a range of sports, this is the perfect fit and another opportunity to retain the best talent at home by providing excellent coaching and competition environments alongside world level academic courses.

Jon Luke-Robertson Golf Club Captain at University of Edinburgh said, 

As first-team captain, I’m really proud to see this partnership with Loretto Academy come together. With their world-class facilities and coaching, we’re building on Edinburgh’s tradition of sporting excellence and putting the University at the forefront of student golf.

The new programme will position the University of Edinburgh as a destination of choice for aspiring elite golfers, combining academic excellence with a supportive high-performance sporting environment. It should also be noted that the University of Edinburgh will proactively support young student athletes who do not normally have the financial means to continue to combine academic studies along with performance sport, through our Widening Participation Programme.