Lothians-based pro furthering his golfing education

David Armitage at top club in Orlando

in quest for 'Masters' status

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
A Lothians-based golf professional is spending the next few weeks at the exclusive club in Orlando where Tiger Woods practises in a bid to help him earn a place in the record books.
David Armitage, the director of golf/head professional at The Renaissance Club just outside Gullane, has made the trip to Isleworth to further his golfing education as he attempts to gain 'Master PGA professional' status.
The 28-year-old, pictured, who has been at The Renaissance since it opened in 2008, is playing in the Isleworth Invitational Pro-Am this week and will be involved in the running of the Tavistock Cup as he shadows the club's General Manager and Director of Golf over the coming weeks.
"I believe that the golf industry is getting tougher and tougher and therefore want to keep learning to keep ahead of the game," said Armitage, who started his professional career as an assistant at the Old Course Hotel and Duke's Course at St Andrews and had a spell at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin before returning to Fife to become the senior instructor at the St Andrews Links Golf Academy.
"I learned very early on that the winters in Scotland are very quiet and can be bleak so decided this would be a great time to further my education and experience. Each winter I set myself goals to enable me to come into the season with more experience.
"Despite my tender age within the golf industry, I feel I have a wealth of experience which has helped me extremely in my present positions, but I am always aware of the traditions of the game which are very important to me."
Isleworth is one of the most successful private clubs in the United States. Renowned for its exclusivity and service, it is home to more US Tour players than any other single club in the country.
"I have a specific role within the running of the Tavistock Cup, which is a televised match between Lake Nona and Isleworth that takes place in March each year, alternating home and away venues," added Armitage, who went to the PGA Show in Orlando last week to attend various seminars as well as look at future brands for The Renaissance.
"Both clubs are owned by Joe Lewis and I think my experience at this type of club would be unique and give me great insight into the running of a successful private operation. Completing my advanced certification of the USA PGA will allow me to complete my Masters in the following years and I aim to become the youngest Master PGA professional in the USA. I am also planning to complete it in the UK."