A student golfer from Scotland’s Rural College has won a gold medal at the Special Olympics World Games in the United Arab Emirates. Andrew Stuart, who is studying for a National Certificate 
in Professional Golf at SRUC’s Elmwood campus in Fife, won in the Level 5 – Individual Stroke Play event.
He was one of 7,000 athletes from 190 countries competing at the Special Olympics – the world’s largest sporting event for people with intellectual disabilities – held in Abu Dhabi from March 14-21.
The 19-year-old from Dunblane, who has autism, a speech disorder and dyslexia, was introduced to golf by his grandfather at the age of eight and has since competed in four national Special Olympics events.
Following his first World Games, Stuart said: “It was absolutely amazing. I have never enjoyed myself so much. I thoroughly enjoyed making new friends and playing golf on a fantastic course.”
His mum Laura added: “I am really, really proud of Andrew and all he achieves. Life isn’t easy for him, but he has the determination to strive for what he wants to do.”
Scotland’s Rural College lecturer Graeme McDowall said: “It was a great honour for Andrew to be selected to compete in the Special Olympics, and here at SRUC we are all very proud of his achievements.”
Earlier this year, Stuart was one of 12 golfers selected to the first ever Young Person’s Golf Panel established as part of Scottish Golf’s commitment to growing the game. The young golfers on the panel will look at current barriers to participation in golf and ways of encouraging young people to take up the game.
Meanwhile Stuart hopes to continue his studies at Elmwood by doing an HNC in Professional Golf. “In the future I want to turn professional and run my own pro shop,” he said.