Student golfers at Hartpury University and Hartpury College are celebrating several accomplishments, adding to the outstanding success of the institution’s Sports Academies achievements.
The first team emerged victorious in the national finals held at Kedleston Park Golf Club near Derby from 9-10 May 2024, against a highly competitive field. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the dedication and skill of the team members.
Comprising of Brandon Skidmore and Cassius Blake, as well as Mark Hewlett and Louis McDiarmid (all Level 3 Extended Diploma Sport (Golf) students), the team secured a three-shot victory. Louis’ solid +1 score set the team up for success in the final round. Brandon finished on an impressive -4 for 68, after reaching a remarkable -5 at one point. Cassius, despite a challenging start, finished on just +3 for the tournament, well inside the top 10 on the leaderboard. Mark’s consistent performance throughout the week contributed significantly to the team’s triumph.
In addition to the team’s success, Brandon continues to make a name for himself. He recently received recognition for leading in the Association of Colleges (AoC) South Region, finishing 4th in the ICT AoC Finals, and has been offered a full scholarship to the United States, where he’ll take up his place this August.
Eliot Baker, another talented Hartpury golfer, has also been making waves individually and as part of the England team with impressive performances in the West of England Trophy, a commendable 12th place finish in the prestigious Lytham Trophy, and in finishing 5th at the English Open. He has made a strong start to the summer season and has recently graduated from Hartpury University with a degree in Sports Business Management. He continues to work closely with Hartpury Golf Coach, Gareth James who, like many others at Hartpury, will follow his progress closely.
Matthew Ellis, Hartpury Golf Academy Manager said: “The dedication, skill and resilience displayed by our golfers has been remarkable. Their success in the national finals and individual competitions is testament to their hard work and the exceptional support and coaching they receive at Hartpury. We’re incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to their continued success in the future.”
Hartpury University and Hartpury College’s Golf Academy has a reputation for nurturing and developing exceptional golfing talent, solidifying its reputation as a leading institution in the field of golf education and training. Students develop their talents alongside their studies, as part of the dual career pathway.
The pathway was attributed in the outcomes of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023) in which Hartpury University was rated triple Gold. Ofsted inspectors also praised the pathway as well as recreational sports opportunities for students in their inspection report, following the news that Hartpury College had retained Ofsted Outstanding.
Photo: Back left to right – Daniel Baily – Harley Sandel – Mark Hewlett – Sam Hathaway
Front left to right – Louis McDiarmid – Brandon Skidmore – Cassius Blake – James Biggs
