PGA in Scotland in Gore & Galvin deal

Left-to-right: Stuart MacInnes, Galvin Green; Brian Mair, PGA in Scotland; Eric Dawes, Sports Academy Scotland; 2013 Assistants’ champion Paul O’Hara; and John Overdijking, W.L. Gore 

Up-and-coming Scottish professionals – and would-be professionals – have been given a major boost following a double announcement made by the PGA in Scotland.

The organisation has announced that W.L. Gore & Associates and top apparel brand Galvin Green has become an Associate Partner of the popular assistants’ programme, as well as a key supporter of the new PGA in Scotland Apprentice Scheme.

The new partnership will see the two brands become actively involved in all of the PGA in Scotland Assistants’ activities throughout the year. They will also get their names included on the Order of Merit.

In addition, Gore and Galvin Green will support the ongoing development of PGA in Scotland professionals and PGA in Scotland Assistant Professionals through joint education seminars/workshops and on-site visits (at Gore’s innovative and impressive fabrics plant in Livingston).

They will also provide support for the exciting modern apprenticeship pilot scheme to be launched in Autumn 2014 with the Sports Academy of Scotland.

John Overdijking, GORE-TEX® fabrics’ Key Account Manager, said: “As a brand who has a long history with Galvin Green protecting golfers from the elements we are delighted to become an Associate of the PGA Scotland. We strongly believe that the Assistant Professionals need as much support from companies like ours as possible and we very much look forward to this partnership”.

“We are thrilled to have agreed this deal” – Brian Mair

“Galvin Green is proud to be joining with Gore in supporting the PGA in Scotland and sponsoring the Assistants’ Tartan Tour,” said Mike Johnson-Hill, Managing Director of Galvin Green (UK & Ireland) Ltd. “Scotland is where the Galvin Green brand is most widely recognised as a market leader in golf outerwear with our comprehensive range of GORE-TEX® jackets and trousers.  We look forward to helping the PGA in Scotland take the game forward and clothing the five brand ambassadors who come through this year’s Order of Merit.”

Secretary of The PGA in Scotland, Brian Mair added: “We are thrilled to have agreed this deal. To align ourselves with world-class brands such as Gore and Galvin Green represents a wonderful opportunity to support and nurture the next generation of PGA professionals in Scotland.”

On the new apprenticeship scheme, Mair added: “This is a hugely exciting development which will give school leavers the chance to get involved in the golf industry. This scheme will be of benefit to golf clubs in general, but in particular to PGA professionals, and we anticipate there will be great interest from our members in this new opportunity.”

Eric Dawes, Director of Sports Academy (Scotland) Ltd, added: “We are delighted to be the vocational training provider for the PGA Golf Club Modern Apprenticeship Programme. We are confident that this programme will allow the Modern Apprentices to flourish within their golf club development vocation.

The PGA in Scotland: Find out more

For more information on the PGA in Scotland, click here.

Pic: Andy Forman

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor