Press Release

Steve North of St Andrews Links Golf Academy
honoured as “Most Admired Operator”

Steve North, Director of Instruction at St Andrews Links Golf Academy has been included
in Golf Inc. Magazine’s annual list of the 20 “Most Admired Operators” chosen from
around the globe.
Industry leaders from world-class facilities including Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, and Mission Hills in China were also announced as winners.
Prior to heading up the facility at the Home of Golf, Steve spent four years as David
Leadbetter’s foremost instructor in Asia.
Steve took over the position in St Andrews in 2006 and has been responsible for developing an innovative coaching programme designed to help golfers of all abilities from beginners to leading amateurs and professionals.
The golf academy is recognised for the exceptional way in which it has addressed the challenges of a diverse clientele with a range of needs. Steve and his team of PGA Golf Management professionals serve a large community of local golfers as well as the thousands of visitors who come from around the world to experience golf in St Andrews.
As a testament to the success of the golf academy, it collaborates with a number of local golf
clubs, and a number of local and national squads have chosen to use the facility for their
training.
The R&A Bursars from the University of St Andrews, and members of the St Andrew Links Junior Golf Association are coached by Steve and staff instructors. The golf academy features four instruction studios equipped with some of the most advanced ball-tracking, digital analysis and ultra-sound putting scan technology available.
Specialised programmes such as “Prepare to Play the Links” are designed to help visitors maximise their enjoyment of playing links golf and their experience of playing The Old Course.
Golf students benefit from a unique web-based E-coaching facility, allowing them to revisit their lessons online where they can view their video swing analysis and listen to their instructor’s audio commentary. Besides delivering thousands of hours of private tuition and coaching, the instructors also handle major corporate events for global enterprises.
“The golf academy is committed to promoting the game in Scotland and welcoming visitors from all over the world,” said Steve. “We design innovative programmes and work with our clients to deliver coaching tailored to their individual requirements. I am pleased to receive the recognition and we will continue to offer the highest standard of coaching and service to our clients.”
John Grant, Golf Manager at St Andrews Links Trust, said: “Under the guidance of Steve North, St Andrews Links Golf Academy has become firmly established as one of the leading facilities of its kind in Europe. The combination of excellent coaching and cutting-edge technology has been a welcome addition to the services and facilities here at St Andrews Links."