Palmer Cup adventures for Myerscough golf students

Palmer Cup students

The annual international collegiate competition took place at Formby Golf Club in Liverpool, with Myerscough FE students invited to provide the important role of caddying at the event.

Since its inception in 1997, the tournament, which adopts a ‘Ryder Cup’ style format, has become the biggest such event in the world. The tournament is named after the legendary Arnold Palmer, and brings together the top college players from both sides of the Atlantic. Alongside the Ryder Cup and Walker Cup, it’s one of only three golf events where Europe play against the USA.

In addition to the group playing a major part in the event, one Myerscough student, Kieran Oates, has been chosen as Junior Caddy for the Arnold Palmer Cup representative Matthias Schwab, selected to play in the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard at Bayhill, Florida, in March next year.

Laura Marsh, Programme Leader in FE Golf Studies, said: ‘’A big thanks to the students for all their hard work and professionalism over the last week at The Arnold Palmer Cup.

‘’The event seeks to pass on Mr. Palmer’s values to the next generation of golfers, and the students all represented Myerscough exceptionally well in their caddy roles and hopefully have all enjoyed being involved in such a prestigious event for amateur Collegiate golf and have felt inspired by the players on both sides that they have worked closely with.

‘’Special congratulations to Kieran on his place as Junior Caddie for the Arnold Palmer Invitational and we look forward to seeing him in Florida next year.’’

Alison Robinson, Vice Principal of Myerscough College, said: ‘’This was a fantastic opportunity and very well done to all of our students for acting with professionalism and receiving such fantastic feedback. 

''They are a credit to themselves, staff and the College. Thank you and well done!’’

Myerscough College golf lecturer & Programme Leader, Gavin Forsyth, said: ‘’This work experience placement has given the students opportunity to see at first hand the technical and tactical considerations needed for elite level play and has provided a great opportunity to work closely with elite amateur golfers on an international stage.’’

Mike Bailey from Formby Golf Club said:  ‘’I would like to express my sincere appreciation (to Myerscough), firstly by getting some caddies together and secondly for your involvement throughout the competition. It made my job so much easier.

‘’The students were such an easy group to deal with and they all seem to have had such a good time and they all seemed to get on with their players very well.’’