A NEW programme has been launched to get university students working in the golf industry and encourage more youngsters out on to the fairway.

Buckinghamshire New University and the Berks Bucks and Oxon Golf Partnership have teamed up to develop the scheme.

The Golf Ambassadors programme aims to give students hands-on experience in the golf industry and to give the Berks Bucks and Oxon Golf Partnership a strong pick of sports management volunteers in the process, Four second year Sports Management and Golf Studies degree students have been chosen to work alongside the Partnership in the new programme.

Justine Lawrence, development officer at the partnership, said: “The calibre of students interviewed was very high which made the selection process difficult, but we're delighted with the four selected and look forward to working with them. We are sure that their contribution and youthful approach will prove most beneficial to the partnership.”

If the scheme proves successful there are plans to launch it nationally with other county golfing partnerships.

The selected Bucks students are James McGilvray, Rajiv Patel, Luke Jennings and Lauren Drake, who will be working on two separate projects. The first will be to expand the number of clubs being awarded GolfMark - a national accreditation scheme which identifies and recognises junior and beginner-friendly golf facilities.

The second project will involve working with schools that already provide some golfing activities in Berks, Bucks and Oxon. The students will work with the county development officer and the Golf Foundation to come up with more initiatives to introduce children to the sport.

Francisco Baeza, principal lecturer at Bucks New University, added: “This is an excellent programme that will be very beneficial to Bucks New University, golf students and the Bucks, Berks and Oxon Golf Partnership. On behalf of the University and the students, I would like to say that it is great to be working with such prestigious organisations from the golf industry.”

Phil Beard, volunteer manager of the England Golf Partnership, also helped to develop the programme.