Golf is as integral a part of Scotland today as it was as far back as the 15th century when, the game of ‘gowf’, as it was known in those days, was banned by Parliament under King James II as a distraction from military training. Fortunately the ban was lifted when the Treaty of Glasgow came into effect in 1502 and the game has gone from strength to strength ever since.
Scotland is the birthplace of modern golf and Loretto School in Edinburgh, perhaps because of its superb location next to the world's oldest playing course, has a strong tradition of top level golf, dating back to its founding in 1827. The surrounding area of East Lothian offers a choice of magnificent links courses.
Loretto School certainly has a long and distinguished history in UK educational excellence. Founded in 1827, Loretto is Scotland’s extant boarding school. This coeducational boarding and day school occupies 85 acres to the east of Scotland’s capital city and is a gateway to some of the world’s finest links courses. Perhaps appropriately, Loretto is situated next to the world’s oldest course, Musselburgh Links, with records showing golf being played as early as 1672.
Over the years former pupils of Loretto have captained many of the best known clubs throughout Scotland and the UK. No fewer than seven former pupils have captained The Royal and Ancient Golf Club, St Andrews, whilst eleven have been captain of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, the world’s oldest golf club and at least ten have been Captains at Prestwick.
Is it any wonder, then that Loretto boasts its own highly successful Golf Academy? 2012 sees the Loretto Golf Academy celebrate its 10th anniversary and what a meteoric rise it has been. Alex Hay, BBC’s voice of Golf, explains, “Loretto’s ties with golf go back a long way and the Golf Academy is a most exciting initiative.”
From a humble beginning of 6 golfers back in 2002, to a current capacity of 50 young golfers, places in Loretto’s Golf Academy are keenly prized. Loretto is the most decorated Golf School in Europe. Rick Valentine, Loretto ‘s Director of Golf, has overseen the Golf Academy’s spectacular success.
Rick’s golfing pedigree is impressive too; he was born in Dubai and raised in England where he completed a Sports Science Degree. After university he moved to the USA to attend the San Diego Golf Academy to work on his own game, as well as achieving an Associate degree in Golf Complex Management and Golf Professional. Rick moved to Hong Kong and pursued his amateur career for three years. He represented Hong Kong in the Eisenhower Trophy (World Amateur Team Championships), Namura Cup (Asia Pacific Team Championships) and Putra Cup (South East Asia Team Championships), as well as many other international events; he won the China Amateur in 2000 as well as being the leading amateur in the Hong Kong Open in 2001 and 2002. Having returned to the UK in 2003, Rick competed in the Qualifying School for the Euro Pro Tour; he won a card and turned professional. Since joining Loretto Rick has also completed the Foundation Degree through the University of Birmingham and is now an AA PGA Professional. Rick has also completed his Level 1 and Level 2 ASQ coaching certificates for golf.
Rick shares the same passion and love for the game as his father, Iain Valentine, who is Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Golf Association and his grandmother was none other than Jessie Valentine MBE, one of the dominant figures in women's golf for a period which spanned two decades from the mid 1930's to the mid 1950's and notched up a staggering 3 British Ladies Championships between 1937 and 1958 in addition to 6 Scottish Ladies Championship titles.
The Loretto Golf Academy attracts boy and girls aged 10-18 from all over the world and offers them an outstanding opportunity to develop their golfing talents in tandem with a first class education. The School boasts its own 'on campus' practice facilities with a 'Huxley' 9 hole artificial putting green, driving bays and bunker and chipping areas. There are also remarkable indoor facilities offering innovative practice programmes for both beginners and advanced. Working closely with the Scottish Golf Union and in partnership with Championship courses at Craigielaw and Archerfield, the Loretto Golf Academy ensures that it remains at the cutting edge of schools’ golf. It has continues to develop an unrivalled programme of golf for aspiring golfers including one-to-one tutoring sessions, professional coaching in strength and conditioning using the Golf BioDynamics system, short game and sport psychology. The goal for many Loretto golfers is to attend an American University when they leave. Loretto work closely with ProdreamUSA since 2005 to ensure their players get the best possible advice during this important transition.
“Combined with an outstanding education, Loretto Golf Academy provides an unrivalled environment and opportunity for aspiring young golfers. Ten years since its inception, the Loretto Golf Academy is unsurpassed on the golfing circuit.” Comment Jonathan Hewat, Director of External Affairs at Loretto School.
“Our ultimate aim is to produce an Open winner. However, most Golfers do not reach their peak until they reach their 30’s. Loretto’s day will come!” says Rick.
Loretto’s Golf Academy recent accolades include;
• Team winners ISGA Home Nationals 2012
• Team winners ISGA Home Nationals 2011
• Team winners Independent Schools Golf Championships 2011
• Team winners at the World Hickory Open Championship 2010.
• National HMC Foursomes Champions 2010.
• Winner Welsh Women’s Amateur 2010.
• Winner Individual and Ladies Team Event at the Scottish Schools Golf Championships 2010.
• 2nd Independent Schools Championships National Final 2010.
• Winner Intercollegiate Individual Final 2010.
• Winner of the Individual event at the 2009 Independent Schools Golf Association Grand Final and 3rd in the Team event.
• Runners-up in the Home International of the 2009 ISGA
• HMC Foursomes Runners-up in 2007 and National Champions 2006
• Runners-up in the Independent Schools Golf Home International 2009