Nicola is on course for golfing success
Teenage golfer Nicola Slater hopes to tee up a bright future in the sport after joining Stirling University’s renowned golf scholarship programme.
The 18-year-old star (pictured) – who has won a number of prestigious titles this year – will work with High Performance Coach Dean Robertson at the university’s oncampus facilities – which include a par three golf course, short game practice areas, artificial putting green, and driving range.
Nicola, who is studying a four-year Sports Studies course, will also benefit from a fantastic package of support at Stirling, including winter training camps, international competition and funding.
“I am really pleased to have joined the golf programme at Stirling,” Nicola said.“I was in the golf academy at Balby Carr College in Doncaster and had applied to a few different universities.
“Before I decided upon Stirling, Dean came to watch me play at a number of competitions in England. I appreciated that he made the effort to come and watch me.”
Nicola has enjoyed a successful year, winning the English Women’s Matchplay; finishing fourth at the English Women’s Closed Strokeplay and shooting 10 under par – the joint course record – at the Old Course in St Andrews in May.
In addition, she won the Stirling International event on the Torrance Course at the Fairmont in St Andrews and competed at the Yale Intercollegiate Invitational at New Haven, Connecticut. In January, she will travel to Dubai with fellow Stirling golfers for a two-week winter training camp.
Nicola admits she dreams of turning professional in the sport – but feels that her Sports Studies degree gives her an alternative option too.
She said:“I am still unsure what route I’ll head down – I don’t want to pin my hopes on going professional – but it would be a dream if I could.”