HIGHLAND JUNIOR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS AT SPEY VALLEY 2014

Boys L to R.
Jake Carpenter, Forres Golf Club; Andrew Moir, Elgin Golf Club; Sandy Scott, Nairn Golf Club; Murray Urquhart, PGA Pro Macdonalds Spey Valley Golf Course; James Hawes, Reay Golf Club; Rory Cromarty, Nairn Golf Club; Logan Gillies, Loch Ness Golf Club.

Report from Willie Mackay, Clubgolf Regional Manager, Golspie

Macdonalds Spey Valley Championship Golf Course hosted the Highland Junior Golf Championships. 50 juniors had entered and enjoyed a great day of golf with the morning dew quickly dispelled and sunshine by midday, although still a chill in the air.

Girls L to R
Carinne Taylor, Nairn Golf Club; Abbie Cruden, Nairn Dunbar; Murray Urquhart, PGA Pro Macdonalds Spey Valley Golf Course; Emma Logie, Buckpool Golf Club.

The golf course was in great condition. Spey Valley greenstaff had put a great deal of work into preparing the course and setting it up for the best juniors in the North. Over 70% of the field had a single figure handicap and this was topped by Sandy Scott, Nairn Academy and Nairn Golf Club setting the standard with his +2 handicap and even with that added pressure returning a score of 74, one over par to win the Duncan Alan Quaich for winning scratch player.

Runner up in the scratch section was Andrew Moir of Elgin Academy and Elgin Golf Club with 76 and winning by a better inward half from Jake Carpenter, Forres Academy and Forres Golf Club.

Culloden Academy with a score of 224 won the Bruce Robertson Cup for the Highland Schools Team retaining their title and Nairn Academy second as in 2013 with 226 from their top scoring three players. Culloden’s counting players were Matthew Clark, Rory Cromarty and Logan Gillies..

The Handicap section (0-9) for the Skibo Cup was won by James Hawes, Thurso High School and Reay Golf Club with a nett 69 and finishing in style – birdie, eagle, over par 5 and par 4 holes. This pushed Jake Carpenter into second place with his nett 70 and Andrew Moir took third with a nett 73.

The handicap section (10-18) for the ClubGolf Highland Shield saw Logan Gillies of Loch Ness Golf Club and Culloden Academy retain his title with a nett 67. Gillies beat Fortrose Academy player Ruaridh Gray, Fortrose Academy and a member at Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club. Rory Cromarty, Culloden Academy who plays his golf at Nairn Golf Club but had to settle for third spot with a good score of nett 75.

Abbie Cruden, Nairn Academy and Nairn Dunbar Golf Club won the Grant Trophy for the best girls' scratch score of 92 and Carinne Taylor came second with a score of 94. Emma Logie from Keith Grammar and Buckpool Golf Club won the Sutherland Cup as best handicap score with nett 87.

Spey Valley Professional, Murray Urquhart presented the prizes. He commented, "Macdonald Spey Valley Championship Golf Course are once again proud to host the Highland Junior Golf Championships for the ninth consecutive year. The excellent scoring reflects the high quality of junior golf in the Highlands. To see so many juniors from every corner of the Highlands to play the course and support the tournament is very encouraging.”

The event was run by Willie MacKay, ClubGolf’s Regional Manager, who said: “It was a pleasure to witness the juniors take on the challenge of the Spey Valley Championship Course and what tremendous condition it was in. Juniors from Northern Counties, North District and Scottish Golf Academy Squads were able to use their golfing skills and test their course management in perfect conditions.”

The leading results were:

Girls SCRATCH - The Grant Trophy
Abbie Cruden, Nairn Dunbar, Nairn Academy, 92
2nd Carinne Taylor, Nairn GC, x, 94

Girls Handicap –The Sutherland Trophy
Emma Logie, Keith Grammar, Buckpool GC, 87

Boys Scratch –The Duncan Allan Quaich
Sandy Scott, Nairn Academy, Nairn GC, 74
2nd Andrew Moir, Elgin Academy, Elgin GC, 76 BIH
3rd Jake Carpenter, Forres Academy, Forres GC, 76
  
Boys Handicap (0 to 9) - The Skibo Trophy
James Hawes, Thurso High School Reay GC, 69
2nd Jake Carpenter, Forres Academy, Forres GC, 70
3rd Andrew Moir, Elgin Academy, Elgin GC, 73

Boys Handicap (10 to 18) Highland ClubGolf Trophy
Logan Gillies, Culloden Academy, Loch Ness GC, 72
2nd Ruaridh Gray, Fortrose Academy, Fortrose & Rosemarkie GC, 73
3rd Rory Cromarty, Culloden Academy, Nairn GC, 75

Highland Best School Team
Bruce Robertson Cup      (lowest 2 nett scores)
Culloden Academy, M Clark 77, R Cromarty 75, L Gillies 72, 224
2nd Nairn Academy, S Scott 76, J Elder 73, M Britovsek 77, 226

RBS AWARDS WINNERS HONOURED AT SCOTTISH GOLF AWARDS

Shirley Murray, flanked by Alastair Forsyth and John Frame, receives her award.

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

Torvean Golf Club junior convener Shirley Murray has been rewarded for her dedication to junior golf over the past 12 months by being named the RBS Volunteer of the year at the glitzy 2013 Scottish Golf Awards.

 

The prestigious event at the Hilton Glasgow also saw Stirlingshire club Strathendrick presented with the 2013 RBS Junior Club of the Year prize after startling recent success in its first year of delivering Scotland’s national junior golf programme, ClubGolf.

 

Murray, who qualified as a ClubGolf Level 1 Coach at Inverness-shire club Torvean in 2008, overcame the challenge of fellow volunteers Jean Leitch (Strathendrick GC, Central), Louise Murray (Elgin GC, Moray) and Keith Renton (Thornton GC, Tayside & Fife), each thoroughly deserving of recognition for their selfless efforts.

 

With her 70^th birthday just around the corner, Murray has shown no signs of slowing down in her continued efforts to enhance Torvean’s junior programme.

 

Since becoming Junior Convener in 2009, the former matron has played a pivotal role in developing links with primary and secondary schools in and around Inverness, driving junior development and incorporating children within the social care system into the club.

 

According to club manager John Robertson, Murray’s influence has been nothing short of revolutionary for all children involved at Torvean.

 

He said: “Our junior section two or three years ago consisted of one or two kids whose parents were members of the club and weren’t really doing very much. Since Shirley decided to take this on that number has grown massively. I think last year we had something like 64-70 juniors.

 

“We’re obviously highly delighted that she has been recognised for the work she does. I think that if every club in the country had someone with the same enthusiasm as Shirley, they would get on better. She is a wee star.

 

“She is full of enthusiasm, full of energy and is a bubby, bright, sparkly kind of person. And, most importantly, she is great with the kids. She is one of those rare kinds of people.”

 

Murray, whose tremendous contribution to youth sport was also acknowledged when she was presented with the 2012 Young Persons Coach of the Year Award for Highland by sportscotland, was honoured to receive the highly-coveted prize ahead of her distinguished challengers.

 

“I’m absolutely over the moon, thrilled to bits,” she said. “I didn’t realise that we had packed so much into the year and I wasn’t expecting it.

 

“I’d had the award in October for coach of the year from sportscotland and I thought that was my lot.

 

“The big challenge was making it work but, with all of the facilities and potential we had at Torvean, I knew it was possible. I had to get the structure in place and make things happen and I think I have achieved that.

 

“I don’t need a lot of motivation but this award has really given me extra impetus to get more people involved in the coaching. There is great potential with our junior programme and things are starting to come together and work well.”

 

Having received a cheque for £500 to be reinvested into the club, with an additional £100 awarded for personal spending, Murray already has several projects earmarked for improvement with the junior section in particular set to benefit.

 

“We don’t have a resident professional at Torvean but I think that some of my kids are at the stage now where their game needs some fine-tuning,” she added.

 

“Probably most of the monetary award will go towards getting a pro over and getting these kids set-up with some lessons. That is the important thing for me.

 

“We have done our jobs as coaches. We have got the kids along to the club, we have got them their handicaps and they know what they are doing, but now they need a bit of input from a professional.”

 

Strathendrick, meanwhile, qualified for the four-strong shortlist for the RBS Junior Club of the Year as the leading facility to bring in ClubGolf coaching in the past 12 months.

 

Also competing for the increased first prize of £1,500 for return investment into junior golf were: Durness (Highlands and Islands), Falkirk (Central) and The Whitecraigs (West). Each runner-up receives £500 to go towards junior matters.

 

Having been described as a club “dying on its feet” even as recently as the start of the 2012 season, strengthening the junior section has offered Strathendrick a lifeline, which it has grabbed with both hands.

 

“We’re absolutely delighted and gobsmacked but very humble that we did win,” said David Hood, the club’s Junior Convener.

 

“When you see the competition we were up against, the likes of The Whitecraigs and Falkirk, they are synonymous with junior golf, so it was highly unexpected.

 

“Standing back now and looking at things in hindsight, it was such a team effort and it’s made me realise how good a team we do have. It has been a team effort from the coaches, the people who have been administrating it through to the parents.

 

“I now realise we’ve got something great going there.”

 

After agreeing to establish its programme with ClubGolf Regional Manager for Central Scotland, Mandy Martin, Strathendrick contacted local teaching pro Barry Campbell and volunteer coach Jean Leitch to deliver it.

 

Children were attracted through a membership marketing drive in nearby West Dumbartonshire and the club quickly achieved its target of signing up 15 ClubGolfers in 2012. A total of 42 children took part in ClubGolf coaching in year one, many going on to take advantage of a much discounted annual junior membership rate.

 

This has had an incredible effect on the club, which has become a focal point for the local community.

 

“ClubGolf has helped Strathendrick tremendously,” said Hood. “It has reinvigorated the club and has brought spirit back to the club and it will help us create a legacy for the club.

 

“It has made a huge difference to the community, so much so that the local high school have approached us and asked us if we could do an after school club. It has had a huge impact on the community where the individuals would normally be out-priced for golf but now have an opportunity to come along and take up the sport.”

 

With significant funds to be re-invested into junior development at the club now at its disposal, Hood is confident Strathendrick can build on all that has been achieved so far and create a legacy that will see many more youngsters pick up the game at the Drymen venue.

 

He added: “It will go straight towards club facilities, such as a training area and a putting green. We have outgrown what we’ve got and if we can increase that, it means that we can benefit more kids in the community and get more kids involved. Anything that we’ve won is just going to get reinvested back into training facilities.”

 

The RBS Junior Club of the Year and Volunteer of the Year awards are sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland. Each award winner is selected following a review of all applications by an independent panel of judges.

 

Bruce Cook, Head of Group Sponsorship at RBS is pleased that the bank's support will once again help enhance the development of golf in the community and encourage children to stay in the game. He congratulated this year’s successful candidates on their notable achievements over the previous 12 months.

 

“Tonight’s ceremony was a great curtain-raiser for the 2013 golf season and it was fantastic to see all of the work being done to develop the game at youth level. We are delighted to be part of that through our relationship with ClubGolf,” said Cook.

 

“RBS is very proud to sponsor the Volunteer and Junior Club of the Year awards as it is so important to recognise the community and individual efforts like these that ultimately drive the game from the grass roots level.  

 

“Both of tonight’s winners have shown what can be achieved when people have commitment and work together.  With a model programme like ClubGolf, as well as individuals like Torvean’s Shirley Murray and those involved at Strathendrick, the future of the game is certainly in good hands.”

 

Using the occasion as an opportunity to thank all of those who contribute their time and effort to the development of the youth game in Scotland, ClubGolf Manager Jackie Davidson said: “Volunteers are absolutely pivotal to the ClubGolf programme and presenting the RBS Junior Club of the Year and RBS Volunteer of the Year awards are just a small token of our thanks for their invaluable work.

 

“Congratulations to everyone involved in the programme at Strathendrick, Shirley Murray’s club Torvean and, indeed, all of those that made the shortlists for this year’s awards.

 

“I’m sure their achievements will provide inspiration to many more clubs about the benefits of ClubGolf and welcome others to embrace the programme just as enthusiastically as they have.

 

“We look forward to hearing about further success from each club in the future and hope, with the generous support from RBS, they can reach out to even more young people in the years to come.”

 

LESLEY NICHOLSON JOINS CLUBGOLF TEAM AS EAST MANAGER

                         LESLEY NICHOLSON ................... IMAGE BY ROB EYTON-JONES OF CLUBGOLF

 

ClubGolf, Scotland’s junior national development programme, welcomes former Scottish international and Ladies European Tour competitor, Lesley Nicholson, as its new East Regional Manager. 

An Active Schools Coordinator since she stopped playing full time in 2004, Nicholson brings extensive sports development skills and firsthand experience of ClubGolf’s schools programme.

“In my Active Schools role I've seen a huge number of children coming through ClubGolf in primary schools, getting the opportunities that before were never there in school,” said the  Musselburgh based ex Curtis Cup player.

ClubGolf’s remit goes far beyond introducing every Primary 5 child to golf.  Nicholson, Captain of the Scottish team that won the Women’s Home Internationals for the first time in 19 years in 2010, has seen ClubGolf hit its target of building a large pool of well coached youngsters from which more talented players will emerge. 

“Clara Young (North Berwick) is a classic case of someone from a golfing family coming all the way through the ClubGolf pathway from P5 spurred on to what she's doing today, which is representing GB& I and Scotland.  I'm sure she'll go on to bigger things,” she continued.

“And ClubGolf is making an impact right across the board. I have seen plenty of children from non golfing families who would never have had the opportunity before, that are getting involved in golf at clubs as a result of the schools game.  That's a massive positive for golf in Scotland, being able to reach thousands of kids each year that don't come from golfing families.”

ClubGolf has an extensive programme in the East of Scotland, the region managed previously by Laura Rushby.   Over 50 clubs in the Lothians and Scottish Borders now offer structured coaching through ClubGolf.  This term more than 80 percent of the region’s Primary 5 population, some 6000 children, will receive ClubGolf coaching.

Earlier this year the East region took a clean sweep of RBS Awards, Turnhouse Golf Club’s Iain Holt the winning volunteer and nearby Dundas Parks Golf Club the best junior club.

“The partnerships that Laura has worked really hard to make have made a massive improvement in increasing the numbers and the awareness,” said Nicholson.

“From personal experiences of ClubGolf in the East on the girls side, we have a really strong core group of girls who are really committed and consistently coming along to coaching and medals.  Some of them already are playing county level. 

“Looking at the results through we have a really good crop of youngsters, both boys and girls, which we will improve on and help get them to fulfil their potential.

Ironically, Nicholson has until now never worked in golf full time.  Having now finished her roles as Scottish Team Captain and East Lothian Ladies County Golf Association Junior Convenor she is relishing the opportunity to devote all her energy to ClubGolf.

“Golf has been my passion for my whole life, and after finishing the East Lothian and Scottish duties I can commit to ClubGolf.  It’s very exciting to be involved with my chosen sport and hopefully I can make an impression.

“I will work hard with the clubs that are already on board as well as trying to get more clubs to commit to being involved with the program as well, more PGA professionals on board and help more children make the transition from schools to the clubs.”

Welcoming Nicholson, ClubGolf Manager Jackie Davidson said:  “We are delighted to have someone with Lesley’s knowledge and expertise in golf joining the ClubGolf team.

“Her work experience with Active schools and already established enthusiasm for the programme will stand Lesley in good stead.  I have complete confidence in her ability to build on ClubGolf’s progress in the East of Scotland.”

   

by Rob Eyton-Jones

NEW JUNIOR OPEN AT AIGAS TO BUILD THE FAMILY GAME

 

                Aigas GC ClubGolf coaches and juniors. Picture by Phil Downie

The family spirit is thriving at Aigas, the Highland golf club that since signing up for the junior national programme, ClubGolf, in 2005 has coached over 100 children, almost half of them earning handicaps.

Next month, on Saturday, June 9. the forward looking club, near Beauly, will celebrate a new milestone by organising its first ever Junior Open.

“The Junior Open is also an excellent opportunity for our juniors to meet other kids from other courses, introducing a more competitive element to their games and encouraging them to go and play other junior opens throughout the region,” said the club’s junior convenor, Fiona Rice. 

“By encouraging both CONGU and Club Handicap juniors to take part and see how much fun it is to play at a higher level, it will give them confidence to go for an official handicap.”

Over the past seven years Aigas has been drawing on its close knit community spirit, turning what others might have seen as the disadvantage of a remote rural location into major strengths.    

From its own membership, and with support from Inverness Area Sports Council, Coaching Highland and 2014 Communities Grant, it has built an outstanding coaching resource of qualified coaches: five at Level 1, three at Level 1 Advanced and a further one at Level 2.

And it has worked on its junior coaching facilities, recently adding chipping and pitching mats and buying coaching and golf equipment. 

The club’s appeal to youngsters, some of whom have reportedly made a 40 mile round trip for weekly coaching, has been considerable.

Since it started in 2005, the Aigas team has coached over 100 juniors through ClubGolf, and 40 of them have gained CONGU handicaps. 

Many of its initial ClubGolf recruits are now adult members.  Four of its initial intake are now qualified coaches, providing the perfect role models for the youngsters.

Recently its junior membership has got younger, with higher numbers in the 9-12 age bracket, the result of ClubGolf coaching in the local primary schools and good links with the club. 

And challenged with finding more junior girls, the club’s junior girls Captain, Lexie Leaver and coach Carrie Masheter, have recruited nine young girl members already this year. 

As the junior programme has grown so has the need for professional coaching. Last summer the club also secured funding to enable them to bring in Ross Dennison, the Assistant Pro from Inverness, to coach its older juniors. 

“Ross was a big hit with the juniors and also provided invaluable mentoring to our own coaches to make sure we are all up to speed with current good practice and techniques in coaching.”

Amongst the many benefits of running structured junior coaching are the numbers of parents playing the game with their children at Aigas.  Other parents are taking up the game because their children are playing. 

“We have Mums that have taken up the sport rather than waiting in the clubhouse to pick up the kids,” said Fiona.  “We have adults learning the game and beginner seniors coming along at quiet times for group lessons.”

It says much for the club’s inclusive approach and work in the community that half of the children on its coaching programme are from non golfing families.  Next month it hopes to spread the net wider still by encouraging at least 24 juniors to play its first junior open on Saturday 9 June. 

The event is open to boys and girls, aged 18 and undr, with separate categories for those with an official SGU handicap and those who have a club, 18 hole, handicap - 28 for boys and 36 for girls.  Entry fee is £5 for non members and £4 for Aigas Junior members.  Tee off times are between 09.00 and 10.20am.

In typical Aigas spirit the club has gone the extra mile, found sponsorship from Ross-shire Engineering, Aigas Golf Course, Aigas Holiday Cottages and local Beauly businesses.  To create a fun environment it is laying on a barbeque, homemade cakes and coaching for beginners between 10.30am and 12.00 noon and games in the practice area.

“Golf is a fantastic and inclusive sport that the whole family, whatever their age or ability level, can go and enjoy in the outdoors,” said Fiona. 

“We hope to encourage not only more juniors but their families to play golf. We want to show everyone how much fun it can be in an appealing informal way.”

To find out more about the Aigas Junior Open or coaching at the club, call the clubhouse on:
Tel:   01463 782942

Or speak directly to Carrie Masheter on:

Mb:  07762 023883

 

Rob Eyton-Jones

For ClubGolf

t:  07775 746981

e:  rob@eyton-jones.co.uk

Official ClubGolf website:  www.clubgolfscotland.com

ClubGolf on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/clubgolfscotland

CARRBRIDGE NINE-HOLE OPEN TARGETS SCOTTISH OPEN SPECTATORS FOR BENEFIT OF JUNIORS

  Level 1 coaches George Dyer and Irene Blease with Carrbridge ClubGolfers this week

Highland golf club Carrbridge’s very existence is so dependent on visiting trade that, when nearby Castle Stuart Golf Club was announced as the venue for the 2011 Scottish Open, it immediately saw the opportunity to attract more visitors.

Its plan was to organise a 9 hole Open for the Tuesday of the Championship, and its inaugural year proved a success with 60 golfers playing in the competition.

This year the club, situated seven miles from Aviemore in one of the most scenic parts of Scotland, is becoming more ambitious with organisers setting a target of 150 participants.

The recent addition of a sponsor, the nearby Tomatin Distillery, brings credibility and a hefty prize fund which the club hopes will prove attractive to golfers.

“We were delighted with the event in its first year and as the word got round our sponsor has come on board which is superb,” said the club’s junior convenor, George Dyer.

The benefits of staging this competition are far more than a short term cash injection. Many of the proceeds from the Open will be ploughed back into junior development.

Indeed so focussed is Carrbridge on junior development as the key to its long term survival that back in 2004, it was one of the first clubs to come on board with the national junior golf programme, ClubGolf.

The club has since built up a loyal and enthusiastic band of qualified coaches but it lacks the support of a full time professional. This is the missing piece that many of the funds raised will be directed towards.

“Our main concern is to make sure we have a good number of kids there in the first place and that's what all our efforts are going into,” continued Mr Dyer.

“We already bring an assistant Pro down from Inverness for the last four weeks of our ClubGolf programme to take the more advanced juniors for intensive sessions.

“But it costs money which the club just doesn’t have. So if our 9 hole Open is a success again this year then proceeds will be channelled into the junior section to get assistant pros down more often to help children.”

Spectators heading to this summer’s Scottish Open should take their clubs with them and consider playing in the Tomatin Distillery Scottish Nine Hole Open at Carrbridge on Tuesday 10 July 2012.

Golfers can enter the Tomatin Distillery Scottish Nine Hole Open by contacting Carrbridge Golf Club on: Tel: 01479 841314

Rob Eyton-Jones

ClubGolf Media Manager

t: 07775 746981

e: rob@eyton-jones.co.uk

Official clubgolf website: www.clubgolfscotland.com

PERTHSHIRE CLUBS LINK UP FOR GOOD OF JUNIOR GOLF

NEWS RELEASE FROM CLUBGOLF

In the spirit of friendly cooperation, two Perthshire golf clubs are supporting each others’ efforts to build their junior sections.

Aberfeldy and Dunkeld and Birnam are by their own admission small clubs with no resident pro. But they have a strong urge to offer more for local juniors.

This month both clubs came on board with the national junior programme, ClubGolf, organising for a member at each to become trained Level 1 coaches – Aberfeldy’s Lesley Whitwood and Douglas Ogilvie from Dunkeld and Birnam’s attended the two-day course with the PGA.

“I really enjoyed the training,” said Mr Ogilvie who already has an impressive golf CV, having helped organise major competitions and refereed at amateur level.

“It has added the skills to my knowledge to be able to teach golf, something I thought of taking on as a career as I approach retirement in my current profession. I would advocate the course to anyone and I am certainly considering taking it further.”

ClubGolf coaching has already started at Aberfeldy, with eight youngsters at the first session, which will run through the season.

Dunkeld and Birnam’s coaching gets underway at the end of this month, when the numbers of juniors wanting coached can be gauged and appropriate classes set up.

To extend playing opportunities, Aberfeldy and Strathtay Golf Clubs are allowing juniors a joint membership at the two clubs and they have just begun discussion to work together with John Cowan at Taymouth Castle juniors to organise small matches and inter-club challenges. This is something that the Committee at Dunkeld and Birnam are keen to sign up to and extend the opportunities for local juniors to enjoy.

 “As small clubs, the number of volunteers available may be overwhelmed by the number of juniors,” continued Mr Ogilvie. “So by pooling the resources of the small clubs, we can ensure that all juniors in the area are catered for at a high standard.”

“We feel that by working together to encourage young people we will impart the best knowledge to our younger members and expand the junior numbers.”

 Both clubs already have promising young players and in an effort to take the game to the community Lesley Whitwood has been working with the local Active Schools Co-ordinator, Karen Todd, coaching in Breadalbane and Grandtully schools. Some of the students have since joined Aberfeldy’s Friday afternoon coaching sessions.

Coaching at Dunkeld and Birnam GC will start shortly, beginning with Saturday morning sessions, which will be open to any local youngsters willing to get involved.

To find out more about ClubGolf coaching at the two clubs, contact:

Aberfeldy GC on Tel: 01887 820535 (junior sessions at Aberfeldy are on Fridays at 5 -6 pm and at Strathtay on Mondays at 4 -5 pm run by Lesley Whitwood with help from patents)

Dunkeld & Birnam GC: 01350 727524

Rob Eyton-Jones

t: 07775 746981

e: rob@eyton-jones.co.uk

LOSSIE LADS GIVEN COACHING ROLE AT MORAY GOLF CLUB

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY CLUBGOLF

There will be a distinctly youthful feel to Moray Golf Club’s coaching team this season.

The Lossiemouth club, on board and delivering the national junior programme, ClubGolf, since 2007, has recruited two of its top juniors to help deliver weekly coaching sessions to 30 plus local primary school children.

Junior Captain, Aaron Stewart (pictured on right by Willie MacKay) and his Vice Captain Scott Crawford, both 16 year olds, took little persuading that they could play an important part in their own youth set up.

“They are both good golfers, Scott is playing off nine, and Aaron off 11,” said the club’s junior convenor and Level 1 coach, Kevin Hands.  “Aaron last year was our most improved player and dropped his handicap from 23 down to 10 in one year.

“But I also felt that they also have the attributes to become coaches and they are keen to coach,  which entails them dedicating Monday afternoons to coming down and helping the kids. 

“So, when I found out from ClubGolf’s Audra Booth that 16 was the minimum age to become a coach, we booked them on the coaching course.”

The pair attended last weekend’s ClubGolf’s Level 1 training course with the PGA, a two-day event which they found enjoyable and which had the useful spin off of getting them to think of their own technique.

The club now has the perfect role models who can bridge any communication gaps with children as young as nine years old.

The intention is for the pair to begin coaching at the club this month, initially shadowed by more experienced coaches.

“Teenagers like these two have that ability to communicate with young children a lot more easily than some of the adults,” said Mr Hands, whose 15 year old son Gregor has a helping role in the coaching and hopes to attend a Level1 training course next year. 

“They are on a similar wavelength in terms of communication which will help get the points across. 

“We are going to pair them up with more experienced coaches for the first five weeks to see how they get on, letting the older coach stand in the background and guide them if necessary.”

There are over 1500 ClubGolf coaches at work in Scottish clubs, and juniors are appearing increasingly amongst them.  They either want to put something back into the game, gain useful life experience which will help gain university places and future employment or they simply see coaching as a rewarding and fun activity.

Moray Golf Club has a refreshing, forward looking attitude to juniors;  it has 100 in its membership, with junior fees on a highly affordable sliding scale - £10 for under 12 year olds, rising to £70 at age 17.     

This season’s ClubGolf started a fortnight ago with 28 children, mostly from the town’s two local primary schools, signed up.  Bolstering its coaching team to seven means that there are a few more spaces left for youngsters – in Primary 5 and 6 - wishing to learn the game.

To find out more about ClubGolf coaching at Moray Golf Club please contact Pro, John Murray on: Tel:  01343 813330

  

Rob Eyton-Jones

For ClubGolf  

t:  07775 746981

e:  rob@eyton-jones.co.uk

Official clubgolf website:  www.clubgolfscotland.com

JUNIOR BOOM AT BRORA, THANKS TO BRIAN AND VOLUNTEERS

Bunker lessons from Brian Anderson at Brora. Image by courtesy of Rob Eyton-Jones

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY CLUBGOLF
By ROB EYTON-JONES
Junior numbers are on the up at Brora Golf Club in the Highlands, north of Inverness, the result of the club’s forward-looking PGA Pro Brian Anderson and support of his team of volunteers.
Brian began offering coaching through the national junior programme, ClubGolf, in 2008. His initial intake of five children, for some winter fun golf activity in the clubhouse, has since expanded to over 30 every week in the summer.
“So I'm having a think how we are going to handle these numbers this year,” said Brian. “The great comfort I have is the attitude of Brora Golf Club. They are very open which is terrific.
“And I have a valued team of volunteers, who are a very precious resource and perform a multitude of useful tasks.”
Volunteer coaching is a relatively new concept in Scottish golf. When ClubGolf was unveiled in 2003 as Scotland’s legacy to staging the 2014 Ryder Cup, as a key partner the PGA created the Level 1 course which enabled junior convenors, club golfers, parents, and anyone interested to earn a qualification to coach the basics.
As Scotland’s PGA Coach Education Manager at the time, Brian had a pivotal role in delivering and overseeing the Level 1 training. Nine years later over 1500 coaches and more than 100 PGA pros are delivering ClubGolf coaching in 311 Scottish clubs.
Brian is at pains to stress that the term ‘volunteer’ does not have to mean just ‘coach’. There are plenty of club members that support his junior programme without ever teaching.
“The modern volunteer is a person who is able to go and do a bunch of different things,” he says. “My valued volunteers come and perform a multitude of tasks and I have recruited volunteers with various attributes.
“I have seven or eight that will be on the golf course with the kids and another five or six in the background that do transportation and other administrative work.
“They drive children around, they walk on the course when the children are playing or run competitions.”
Living in a tight knit rural community word gets around very quickly when there is something good happening locally and worth getting involved in, as is the case at Brora Golf Club.
But ClubGolf’s success in cities and towns across Scotland is testament that the programme can work anywhere. At last count some 12,675 children were active in club coaching programmes, which Brian believes is in part due to the “The profile and ethos of ClubGolf, which parents read about in the press that has made golf more attractive and more available for kids.”
Brian has been uniquely placed to watch ClubGolf evolve far beyond the stage where pros anticipated losing their livelihoods to a growing army of volunteer coaches. Well over 100 pros in Scotland are now involved in coaching at different stages of the programme, a growing band are involved as mentors to the volunteers.
“Of course I would recommend ClubGolf to other pros but I don't think they need my recommendation,” he continues. “The new generation and breed of golf professional coming through recognizes the need to create a future market.
"And golf clubs throughout the UK are aware of the fact of diminishing membership so they need to take every chance they can to develop and encourage new members.
“It is something we are all looking at and ClubGolf offers a fabulous avenue for them to walk down and recruit new blood. To help that process volunteers are a very valuable resource.”
What Brian and his volunteers have set up in Brora is good for the club, the village and of course his business. But there’s a lot more to it than that, such as the deep satisfaction of seeing the community embracing the game, and many taking up golf for the first time.
“One of the most satisfying things I've seen in the clubgolf program is parents who have come just to support and watch, observe and help and have actually taken up the game themselves.
“We are now seeing family games going out on the golf course. It’s hugely rewarding to see that happening.”

Rob Eyton-Jones
ClubGolf Media Manager
t: 07775 746981
e: rob@eyton-jones.co.uk
Official clubgolf website: www.clubgolfscotland.com

PAUL LAWRIE OPENS NEW FACILITY AT LUMPHANAN GOLF CLUB

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY CLUBGOLF

Former Open Champion, Paul Lawrie MBE, today (Saturday 6 August) opened a new facility at Lumphanan Golf Club which will help the club develop its position as an integral part of the community.

Lumphanan, a 9-hole course in Royal Deeside which prides itself on being a focal point in the local area, reopened in 2000 having been forced to close in the 1960s.

Its road to recovery began with an extensive refurbishment 11 years ago and a shared vision amongst its new membership that it would be inclusive, encouraging everyone, particularly juniors, to join and enjoy golf.  Now, the club has an active membership of nearly 200.  

Teaming up six years ago with the national junior golf programme, clubgolf, a legacy for Scotland’s staging of the 2014 Ryder Cup, has helped the club to attract more youngsters. 

It has a thriving junior section, in most years up to 50 members.  It has supported over 80 children on its clubgolf coaching programme, and has six qualified clubgolf volunteer coaches.  Nineteen year old Callum Cromar, the Junior Convener, one of the club’s leading players and advanced Level 1 coach is the perfect role model for aspiring youngsters.   

The new facility, a putting green and driving net, was funded by a £3000 Awards for All Grant and by contributions from members through various fundraising efforts. 

A band of dedicated members have worked with the club’s greens keeper to turn a piece of underused ground into the much needed facility which will be available for all at the club, but particularly juniors.

 “We are delighted to have Paul Lawrie opening this new facility today,” said Club Captain, Ken Rankin.  “Paul is a great role model and does a tremendous amount for children in the North East of Scotland.

“We are proud of this practice area which will serve a variety of purposes.  One of the greatest advantages is that our clubgolf youngsters now have a dedicated, safe area for coaching and practice away from the main course which, until now, we have had to close to members when clubgolf coaching is taking place.”

 Paul Lawrie, who through his Paul Lawrie Foundation, is an ambassador for junior golf in Scotland, said:  “I am delighted to be opening this excellent facility.   The club has clearly worked hard to re-establish itself since re-opening in 2000 and members have achieved a great deal in a relatively short space of time.

“They have a strong and growing junior section, a great clubgolf coaching set up and through this new facility a dedicated area where youngsters can develop and refine their skills.  I wish them every success for the future and look forward to seeing Lumphanan juniors coming through the ranks and playing in major events in the near future.” 

Like the other 300 plus clubs across Scotland that offer clubgolf coaching, Lumphanan is attracting more children from non golfing families.  It has a strong link with its local primary school which offers clubgolf’s introductory game through sportscotland’s Active Schools network. 

“clubgolf’s Audra Booth has been very helpful in supporting clubgolf in the local community as well as what we have been trying to do here in terms of encouraging youngsters to join in our coaching at the club,” added Ken.  

 “clubgolf is definitely bringing more kids into the club and some are joining.  It's the only way we are going to sustain small clubs in the community, by making sure that the youngsters are interested in the game and have opportunities to play.” 

Rob Eyton-Jones

clubgolf Media Manager

t:  07775 746981

INAUGURAL INVERNESS PRIMARY SCHOOL GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS

Balloch pupils being presented with the Hampton Trophy by Neil Hampton, (l-r) Jamie MacKintosh, Reece Haspell, Neil Hampton, Hamish McColm, Lewis Henderson). Image by Rob Eyton-Jones.

clubgolf juniors recently played in the first ever Primary School Golf Championships for Inverness Schools.  The event was held on Thursday 9^th June on the Wee Monster 9 hole course at Loch Ness Golf Course. 

Schools from throughout the city were represented, and the weather stayed fine for the competitors to play this excellent short course which was in very good conditions.

The pupils playing in this first ever inter school golf competition had a team event and an individual competition to play for.  For the School Team event the pupils were playing for the Hampton Trophy which was gifted in memory of George Hampton. 

Neil Hampton, one of George’s three sons and previously, Manager at Fairways, home of Loch Ness Golf Course, explains why Inverness pupils will continue to compete for the Hampton Trophy:

“My father George started playing golf as a very young boy at Burntisland in Fife and during his amateur career reduced his handicap to two.  

“After National Service he returned to the joinery shop that he had been an apprentice in but soon left to become a postie as this allowed him to play more golf. When the shift pattern at the post office was changed to afternoons the reduction in playing time didn’t go down well and it was at this point he took up the offer to become Professional and Greenkeeper at Burntisland GC.

“From here he moved to Stornoway and from then to Fortrose and Rosemarkie, with his final position being Professional only at Pitlochry Golf Club in Perthshire. Throughout his career as a professional he was very keen on coaching, especially juniors, and there are many golfers in the Highlands who have my father to thank for bringing them into the game.

“He was always keen to know how the young golfers got on and many came back to see him later in life as he had made such lasting impression on them. His teaching style focussed on getting the basics right and then ensuring the swing had rhythm, balance and timing. He would put this across in an easily understood manner that was light hearted and more often than not included a demonstration of his smooth swing. 

“It gives the family great pleasure to present a trophy in his name for junior golfers as he was happiest coaching them and watching them improve. We hope to carry on with our involvement over the coming years and to ensure that the competition grows in name and stature.”

Neil presented the trophy to the winning school, Balloch.  In second place was Lochardil and Muirtown took third place. The individual prize-winners were:

1^st, with a score of 40 - Hamish McColm (Balloch)

2^nd, with a score of 44 - Jack Leil (Lochardil)

3^rd, with a score of 47 (on countback) – Ewan Neil (Lochardil)

The event was run by Gary Morris, Highland Youth Sporting Coordinator, who thanked Fairways for the use of their course, and their Junior Convenor, Richard Treasurer for his help in organising the event.

Rob Eyton-Jones

clubgolf Media Manager

t:  07775 746981

e:  rob@eyton-jones.co.uk

Official clubgolf website:  www.clubgolfscotland.com

PAUL LAWRIE CLINIC FOR LOCAL CHILDREN AT BUCHANAN CASTLE

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY CLUBGOLFFormer Open champion Paul Lawrie gave Buchanan Castle Golf Club a helping hand this week in its efforts to bring more juniors and families into the game.
The recently crowned Andalucian Open winner gave a coaching clinic to 40 local children who are part of the Drymen based club’s junior coaching programme.
“The more clinics you can do like this to let children see the things you work on to make you a successful player, hopefully the more chance there is of it rubbing off on them,” said Lawrie.
At the end of last season the club opened a new all-weather floodlit driving range - featuring eight regular bays and a double teaching bay, complete with video system - adding a top-class amenity to sit beside its 9-hole Academy course.
The project came about as the result of a £93,500 grant from sportscotland’s Sports Facilities Fund, which was matched pound for pound by Buchanan Castle.
“There aren't many better facilities in Scotland than they have here at Buchanan Castle,” said Lawrie.
“The team here are obviously working very hard and it’s paying off. They have fantastic facilities and it’s great to see how many juniors have come today.”
Buchanan Castle has been offering coaching through Scotland’s national junior golf programme, clubgolf, for the past three years and currently has 80 children involved.
It is the local club for the Balfron schools cluster – its seven primary schools all offer clubgolf’s introductory game in January and February and encourage the juniors to then develop their golf skills at Buchanan Castle.
Said the Club’s Head Pro, Keith Baxter, “Our vision is to encourage children and adults to take up golf and provide a facility which gives them an unbroken pathway from never having played before to joining a golf club.
“clubgolf in the schools is bringing in a lot more children that haven't played the game. We've gone from having a very small junior membership to quite a healthy one now and a lot of it is to do with the clubgolf programme in the schools.
“Many of the children here today have come through the schools and having Paul here today has been a fantastic opportunity to encourage junior and family golf.
“He is a great supporter of junior golf in Scotland and we thoroughly appreciate him giving up his time today to give our children this clinic. I am sure the kids have taken a lot from this.”

Rob Eyton-Jones
clubgolf Media Manager
t: 07775 746981
e: rob@eyton-jones.co.uk
Official clubgolf website: www.clubgolfscotland.com

PAUL LAWRIE OPENS NEW JUNIOR FACILITY AT SHETLAND

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY CLUBGOLF 
Former Open Champion, Paul Lawrie OBE today (Wed 6 April) opened a new junior golf facility at Shetland Golf Club, one of Scotland’s most northerly clubs offering junior coaching through the national programme, clubgolf.
The new facility, funded by £5000 from sportscotland who supported the project with their expertise right through its planning and development process, comprises a junior driving range, practice nets, mats and three greens for pitching and putting.
When clubgolf, Scotland’s legacy for staging the 2014 Ryder Cup, was introduced to Shetland in 2006 Shetland Golf Club saw the potential for building its youth membership and signed up.
“Mine was probably the last big generation of juniors we had and I'm 41 now,” said Club Captain, Erik Burgess. “I wouldn't say it died a death but it was becoming a struggle to get guys to come out and play.”
Five club members became trained and qualified to coach Stage 1 of the clubgolf programme. Two years later qualified volunteer coach numbers have grown to 15, giving the club a coaching capacity that would be hard to match anywhere on the Scottish mainland. Over the same time the numbers of junior club members have grown from 26 to 80.
With structured junior golf coaching firmly established the one challenge remaining was how to extend a coaching season shortened by weather and lack of light. A solution is the new facility.
“Our playing season runs from the start of April into October but we are restricted with the weather and April and September are complete pot luck,” said Mr Burgess.
“The new facility is a great improvement and a great help to what we can offer the juniors in coaching.
“We can now split them up into four or five groups. Some can go to the driving range, others to the driving nets or the pitch and putt green. By breaking the group down into smaller numbers we get to spend more time with them and can dedicate more time to individual kids.”
Junior golf is close to Paul Lawrie’s heart. Through his Paul Lawrie Foundation he aims to support and sustain an interest and enthusiasm for the game.
“I am delighted to be opening this facility at Shetland Golf Club,” said Paul. “It is fantastic to see projects like this in the Islands and I am sure this will be a huge success. Everybody involved should feel very proud of what they have achieved.”
Whilst the club has been busy developing junior coaching, Shetland’s primary schools have fuelled the interest. For the past four years all 32 schools have offered clubgolf’s introductory game annually, giving over 240 Primary 5 children a first experience of golf during school time.
“This new junior golf facility is a crucial link in the pathway for juniors to progress through clubgolf coaching into the adult game,” said clubgolf’s Highlands & Islands Regional Manager, Willie Mackay. “The club has put in a tremendous effort over the last few years to develop and support junior golf. It couldn't have happened without the volunteer base they have created.”
Shetland Golf Club is one of 322 clubs in Scotland offering clubgolf coaching. According to Mr Burgess “all the hard work has been well worth it and we're reaping the rewards with some good young talented golfers.”
If clubs like Shetland can create a structured coaching programme and an 80-strong junior section in just a few years - despite the lack of a pro, a shortage of light at the end of the season and bad weather from time to time - then there is hope for clubs in every other part of Scotland to do likewise.
Alan Harcus, Junior Convener at the time of this development and the person that successfully handled the sportscotland funding application is delighted to see how junior numbers have grown.
"This facility is just what Shetland Golf Club needs as our junior membership has increased fourfold in the last couple of years,” he said.
“Having a purpose built practice area will help develop golf in the club without restricting other members’ use of the course.
“The enthusiasm of the kids is very good and their development because of this has been excellent. Several of the junior members have now reached a standard where they are also able to compete in the gents competitions. This is testament to their commitment and hard work throughout the last few years.
“I must take this opportunity to thank sportscotland for providing financial assistance, guidance and support all the way through from initial planning through to the completion of the development, Edwin Williamson and  staff for carrying out the work and the committee for their continued support in the development of this facility and junior golf as a whole.”
ROB EYTON-JONES
clubgolf Media Manager
t: 07775 746981
e: rob@eyton-jones.co.uk