Meet the Team

Alan Fleming- Curriculum Leader

Alan has been a PGA Professional for nearly 20 years and has worked on the golf curriculum at UHI for the last 11 years. Alan began his career at a member’s club in Angus, Kirriemuir Golf Club where he helped to develop a large junior coaching programme as well as learn all aspects of the job of a golf professional. This included work in areas of equipment technology, tournament organisation and the retail business.

Alan moved to Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the UAE and spent 2 years as Golf Operations Manager there. He gained excellent experience at a large international resort where he managed a team of staff responsible for the running of events, tournaments and daily play on the two golf courses.

Alan is also a Level 3 coach and also works for the PGA in delivering coach tutoring and assessing for the Level 1 coaching awards where he trains volunteer coaches who go on to work with beginner and ClubGolf coaching programmes across Scotland. He is also a ClubGolf Coach Developer in the Highland region, which requires him to visit clubs that deliver junior programmes across the region to assist in their coaching, provide support and guidance throughout the season.

Alan is also a graduate of the BA (Hons) Golf Management degree himself giving him experience of the programme from the student’s perspective.

Since becoming the Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) Golf Management programme, Alan has led the development and validation of the BA(Hons) Professional Golf degree and its partnership with the Professional Golfers’ Association. This partnership also led to the development and validation of the DipHE distance learning programme for PGA Trainee’s based in Scotland.

Courses Taught

Alan teaches on both the Golf Management and Professional Golf programmes and is also part of the tutor team for the PGA involved in the delivery of the DipHE Professional Golf.

Alan is Module Leader for 7 modules across the two full time degrees and delivers these face-to-face as well as across the UHI network.

Professional memberships

• Professional Golfers’ Association

Expertise

Alans main areas of expertise are in the development of practical and applied skills for the golf industry including coaching, equipment technology/repairs, events and operational management.

He also teaches areas relating to management in the golf and leisure industry.

Outside of the academic role, Alan also coaches the UHI golf team and helped develop and launch the UHI Sporting Awards with the university's student association, HISA.

Lesley Mackay - Lecturer

Lesley has been a PGA Professional for 13 years and worked on the golf curriculum at UHI for the last 3 years. Prior to turning professional she represented Scotland and GB&I over 50 times and turned professional with a handicap of +4 in 2003. Lesley was a member of the Ladies European tour from 2004-2006 and completed her PGA foundation degree in 2006, winning Female trainee of the year and finishing top 10 overall.

Having been selected onto the international sports scholarship programme at the University of Stirling in 1997 she went on to complete a BA (Hons) Sports Studies and an MRes in Sports Studies.  Lesley was appointed Head Women’s golf coach at Stirling Uni in 2006 and went on to coach a number of players and teams to gain international honours up until 2014. This role also involved delivering on sports performance modules within the sports studies degree programme.

Alongside her position at Stirling Lesley was a teaching professional at World of Golf, in Glasgow from 2006-2009. During this time, she coached both Renfrewshire and Dunbartonshire County ladies’ teams as well as a number of internationalists and professionals. Lesley has also had the honour of coaching a Scotland u18 girls’ team at the European team championships, in 2007. In 2009, Lesley became Head professional at Playsport, the largest golf facility in Scotland. This role involved developing and delivering coaching programmes, alongside coaching Lanarkshire County, West of Scotland girls, Scottish development squads and elite players.

Since becoming a lecturer for the university in 2015, Lesley has been involved in the development and validation of the BA(Hons) Professional Golf degree and its partnership with the Professional Golfers’ Association. Lesley has also completed her PGA Level 3 certificate in golf coaching and her advanced certificate in golf coaching.

Courses Taught

Modules on both the Golf Management and Professional Golf programmes and part of the tutor team for the PGA involved in the delivery of the DipHE Professional Golf.

Professional memberships

• Professional Golfers’ Association

Expertise

Main areas of expertise are in the development of practical and applied skills for the golf industry including coaching, sports science and equipment technology.

Outside of her academic role, Lesley coaches the UHI golf team.

Andy Stewart - Lecturer

Andy has been involved in both business and golf for over 30 years.

Andy completed his education at the University of Abertay Dundee and graduated with an MBA in 1995. He has worked for international and world-leading organisations predominately in Supply Chain and Project Management roles and eventually in Management. Andy also ran his own business for six years.

Andy has played golf since an early age and currently plays with a handicap of six. Due to various relocations, Andy has played golf at Monifieth, Hopeman, Elgin and Brora. He has served on a variety of committees and is currently President of Brora Golf Club thereby making him an authority on Golf Club Management.

Since joining North Highland College in 2012, Andy has taught on a variety of programmes both at Degree level and HN level. Andy teaches on an array of modules including Marketing, Human Resources, Finance and Accounting and Strategy.