'I would love to re-live them 3 years all over again.'
Ben Derbyshire
Current role
Head Golf Professional at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club, U.A.E. Head Golf Professional with 2 Golf Professionals under my guidance.
Career experiences
After completing my degree I began work at a local golf club where I began to make a name for myself within the golf coaching spectrum. I then actively pushed for a role out in the U.A.E after visiting the country on holiday little more than a year ago. My role now invloves controlling the golf department and coaching for up to 7 hours per day.
What is the best thing about what you are doing now?
I am enjoying both the job and the lifestyle out in Dubai and Sharjah. The golf courses out here are second to none, and I am currently making my way through the different ones, I have 3 more to make a complete set. But best of all is sunshine all year round, which makes standing on the driving range for hours on end quite enjoyable.
What was the best thing about your time as an AGMS student?
I would say meeting new friends and living with 7 guys who also have completed the AGMS degree. The content of the course was fantastic too, giving us an insight into different directions in the golfing industry, leaving us prepared to choose our own path from university.
How did you grow as a person by coming to University? Did it change your life in any way?
University life helped me to grow up basically, fending for myself on a day to day basis really helped me become more mature and level headed.
What were your expectations and experiences of living in Birmingham?
From growing up in a relatively small town to studying in Birmingham was a huge change, the social side of university was fantastic. I would love to re-live them 3 years all over again.
Advice for current students
Work hard during your A-Levels as I believe the entry grades are becoming more and more difficult, hence showing what a unique and fantastic degree it is. Don't make any decisions about your future too quickly, enjoy the course content and then decide what path you want to choose. I never forsaw myself enjoying the coaching side so much, my initial plan was more in golf operations. However in future years I would like to enjoy the Director of Golf position somewhere overseas.