Successful summer for Stirling’s coveted golf programme

Golf at the University of Stirling is enjoying a successful summer, with its athletes competing – and winning – on the international stage and its staff supporting some of the sport’s top events.

Stirling student George Cannon won the prestigious Arnold Palmer Cup with Team International, as the only Europe-based men’s player on the team. At Tralee Golf Links in County Kerry, Ireland, George and his teammates narrowly defeated Team USA 30.5-29.5 to win the cup.

It came shortly before George and fellow student-golfers from Stirling – Abercrombie Nisbet, Alexander Farmer and Ross Laird – were selected to compete for Scotland in the prestigious Home Internationals. The four were part of a 16-player team which travelled to Woodbrook Golf Club, in County Wicklow, Ireland, to take on their counterparts from England, Ireland and Wales.

While it was Ireland who won the overall competition, the experience of representing their country on the international stage was a special moment for the University’s golfers. Making her Scotland debut, Abercrombie was a standout performer for Scotland across the event, winning two out of her three single matches and just narrowly missing out in the third.

George Cannon won the Arnold Palmer Cup with Team International.

Walker Cup

Meanwhile, Mhia Mouat, Strength and Conditioning Coach at University of Stirling, played a key role in providing support to professional golfers at the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes. And, next month, the University’s Head of Golf Dean Robertson will captain the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team for the second time, when they take on the United States at Lahinch, in County Clare, Ireland, on 5-6 September. Dean hopes his side can triumph in the 51^st edition of the coveted biennial competition, following a loss last time out at Cypress Point Club, California.

David Bond, Director of Performance Sport at the University of Stirling – UK Sports University of the Year 2027 (Daily Mail University Guide) and Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence – reflected on a successful summer of golf.

“In just a few weeks’ time, Dean Robertson will again lead Great Britain and Ireland into another historic battle in the Walker Cup – it’s a milestone for Dean and reflects the high regard in which he, and the University of Stirling high-performance golf programme, is held.

“It comes just weeks after a brilliant win for George Cannon at the Arnold Palmer Cup and a proud moment for George, Abercrombie Nisbet, Alexander Farmer and Ross Laird as they were selected to compete for their country at the Home Internationals. I also congratulate Mhia Mouat on representing the University at the AIG Women’s Open where she provided strength and conditioning support to the world’s top golfers – further recognition of Stirling’s reputation within sport.

“As one of the most attractive destinations for student golfers in Europe, our high-performance programme continues to nurture and support some of the most promising up and coming golfers.”

As well as being sports scholars at the University of Stirling, Alexander Farmer and Ross Laird are also supported by Winning Students 100, Scotland’s national sports scholarship programme, managed by the University of Stirling.

Mhia Mouat, left, pictured at the AIG Women's Open, where she provided strength and conditioning coaching to top golfers.

Excellence

The University of Stirling is UK Sports University of the Year 2027 (Daily Mail University Guide) and Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. Through the powerful and inspirational combination of performance sport, recreational sport, research and education, we are delivering medals on the world stage, improving the health and wellbeing of the nation, and producing the next generation of leaders within sport.

At Stirling, athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, a state-of-the-art indoor golf studio, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites. In addition to its coaching and facilities, Stirling’s International Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit. It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. Core sports include golf, tennis, triathlon, football, swimming, rugby and curling, while individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports.

Read more about sports scholarships at the University of Stirling.