Degree helps students get in the swing

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Chilterns University College's decision to introduce a degree course in golf will no doubt tee off traditionalists who believe education should be confined to book learning.

However, we see it as a bold move, and a swing in the right direction for modern-day universities.

The course, unique to Britain, will involve studying golf psychology, golf management and operations, greenkeeping, and retail operations. It will include full membership of Hazlemere Golf and Country Club.

This is likely to spark criticism from those who believe the course subject is too flippant for a university. And indeed there is a scathing condemnation of the degree subject from a columnist on this very page.

But, providing there is an acceptable level of academic work involved, we view this subject as one entirely appropriate for this area.

Buckinghamshire is simply brimming over with golf clubs. It is easily one of the most popular leisure pastimes in the country.

The college therefore should be applauded for setting up a course which will equip students with the skills necessary to work in a highly-competitive industry.

If the truth be told, it will probably be far more use vocationally to them than learning Shakespeare on an English course.

In short, we think there will be no handicap in setting up a degree in golf.

And who knows. If students prove successful, they can always go on to do a masters in the subject.

Vandals putting lives at risk

MINDLESS vandals have been putting people's lives at risk for kicks by dangling gas canisters over motorway bridges. In separate incidents, lumps of concrete have been put across railway lines.

Anyone with common sense will realise these acts of vandalism could have a catastrophic outcome, but children and teenagers must be made fully aware by their parents that what might seem a harmless prank could lead to loss of life.

As members of the public we must take some responsibility for ensuring our environment is safe by making sure our children are aware of the dangers and we must also report or stop any incidents of vandalism which could threaten innocent people.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.