FRESHMAN Jack Cope has helped the University of Stirling's elite golf team to win the European Universities Golf Championship at Liberec in the Czech Republic.

But there was also frustration for Jack as he had to pull out after day one of the four-day tournament with a hip injury.

Cope had shot a 65 in the opening round to be tied for sixth in the individual standings but when warming up on the second morning he was too sore to use the driver and coach Dean Robertson reluctantly withdrew him.

Cope, 18, from Minchinhampton, could just lend moral support as the University of Stirling successfully defended their European Universities title. They also won the women's competition.

Sadly for Jack, who has only just moved into halls at Stirling, his injury is going to rule him out of a trip to New York later this month to play for the Stirling team in the McDonald Cup at Yale University.

“Jack has been told that he must work with the physio to get the problem sorted as soon as he comes back," reported his mother Eilis.

"His coach seems fairly relaxed about it and has advised Jack that he can concentrate on his fitness and core, as well as working on his short game, until he is up to full fitness again.

"They are sure he will be 100 per cent in time for the team’s warm weather coaching in Dubai at the beginning of January and that he will be fine for the Prestige Cup to be played in Palm Springs, California in February."

Cope, the Gloucestershire Men's champion and England Boys international, is part of the Scottish university's International Sports Scholarship Programme.

The team are coached by Dean Robertson, an ex-European Tour and ex-Walker Cup player.

Dean is a good friend of Minchinhampton pro Stuart Little, so there will be a smooth continuity to the teenager's coaching.

Jack will continue to be guided by Stu when he's home but coached by Dean while at uni.