Golf degree students save the day at Saudi Open

At very short notice, Myerscough was approached by organisers to assist with event scoring and caddying duties at the Saudi Open 2024, a huge event on the Asian Tour.

Myerscough only got the call from event promoters at the end of March, with just under three weeks to the event itself, and were asked if we could assist in an emergency capacity given our impressive efforts in February for the ARAMCO Saudi Ladies International.

A party of 18 students and staff flew out on Monday, 15^th April, worked the event from Wednesday to Saturday afternoon and flew home in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Rick Daniels, Course Leader - BA (Hons) & FdA Golf Management programmes at Myerscough, said: ‘’Although the event was literally a ‘flying visit’, it was once again a huge success, providing both the Asian Tour & Golf Saudi with essential operational support.

‘’The event was won by John Caitlin, ensuring back-to-back wins on the Asian Tour for the American. He kindly posed with the student volunteer team after the presentation and spent time to thank them for their crucial help and assistance.

‘’The Myerscough link doesn't stop their either - the runner up in the event, Australian Wade Ormsby, had only employed a new caddy on his bag for the week the day before the event started, and this happened to be Mike Curry, a past Golf Management graduate of mine from 2002, who was obviously delighted with his week, and the juicy pay cheque that would follow for the high finish.

‘’We continue our links with Saudi Arabia once again later this year in October when we return with a large group of students to once again provide event support for the ARAMCO Team Series Finals, again at Riyadh GC.

‘’That would be our fifth visit to Saudi in the last 18 months!

‘’These are fantastic, bespoke, industry placement opportunities for our new and existing student groups, that compliment the other DP World Tour opportunities that we also provide at the BMW PGA Championship (Wentworth), and Alfred Dunhill Links Championships (St. Andrews).’’

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