Call for young players to join panel

Monklands youngsters passionate about golf are being urged to apply to become a member of a pioneering new programme to help drive the future of the sport.

Applications are now open to join The Young Person’s Golf Panel (YPGP), a national platform created to represent a voice of young people across the country in sport.

Led by Scottish Golf, the governing body for amateur golf in Scotland, the YPGP is open to both golfers and non-golfers, aged between 14 and 23, who will provide valuable insights and a better understanding of young people in sporting society today.

The panel is being backed by 2018 XACT Scottish Girls Amateur Champion Hannah Darling, who believes the members will be instrumental in changing the future of golf.

She said:“The launch of a dedicated panel for young golfers is a brilliant idea.

“Having a trusted forum to be able to share your opinions with like-minded people who are equally as passionate is a great force for change.

“As a young golfer myself, I can see how the panel could open up many opportunities, so I encourage anyone with an interest in the sport to really consider entering.

“Not only would you build on your own personal skills, but you would be helping to create a better future for young players in Scotland.”

The panel will play a pivotal role in identifying the issues and barriers young people face when taking up the sport and aim to tackle them head on by collectively sharing fresh and innovative ideas.

They will also be key in helping to increase participation by advising how to encourage more people, and youngsters in particular, to consider playing the sport as well as having their say in the overall vision and strategic direction of Scottish Golf.

Applications for the YPGP are now open for youngsters willing to commit up to a maximum of two hours per week.

Visit www.scottishgolf.org/ club-services/participation/ scottish-golf-young-personspanel/ to apply before the closing date of 12 noon today, November 21.