Recruitment drive for future of golf
Blairgowrie Golf Club has teed-up a junior summer school.
It is part of an ambitious 12-month programme designed to lure the next generation into golf.
Weekly classes aimed at the 8-12 age group run until the end of July and a Come and Try family event is being staged on July 27. Bookings are already being taken.
Managing secretary Steven Morgan has also unveiled an autumn schedule which will see assistant professionals Neil Cameron and Sam McLaren taking golf into five local primary schools, with support from Caroline Lawrie from Active Schools.
And in a tie-up with Strathmore Golf Club an inter-schools team league will be rolled out in March next year.
Steven said: “The committee here is keen to build on the Clubgolf programme and the Junior Ryder Cup legacy.
“We recognise that it is vital that golf clubs actively compete to attract youngsters into the sport in the face of so many other sporting and leisure options.
“So we have developed a range of exciting initiatives and, crucially, a pathway stretching over the next 12 months.
“By taking golf into the primary schools St Stephen’s, Rattray, Newhill, Coupar Angus and Kettins we are hopeful it will be embraced by teachers, who will see the learning benefits and run with it in years to come.”
This month’s Come and Try event. headed up by Neil and Sam with support from head pro Charles Dernie, will be a family affair with a BBQ on the menu.
Neil Cameron, who played with Steven in the Perth and Kinross County team, said: “We have secured sets of brightly coloured, user-friendly plastic clubs specially designed for kids and it is all very different from the days when my introduction to golf was via a cutdown three iron and being left to get on with it.
“I first got involved in golf through my aunt at Dunning when I was eight or nine and my dad took me out on the Wee Course here.
“But we have to work harder nowadays to grab the attention of youngsters.
“We are trying to spark their imaginations by getting them along to enjoy a series of fun and easyto-grasp games centred around chipping and putting.
“We have great facilities here and for two hours will be dedicating the range and the Wee Course to the event, with accredited volunteer coaches on hand to help out. It’s a great chance for kids from near and far to come and give golf a go.”
The junior summer school for beginners and more accomplished players meets every Monday throughout July from 2-4pm (£5 per session). Equipment can be provided.
Steven said: “We have introduced a loyalty card, offering discounted rates and every fifth round free, with access to Rosemount and Lansdowne championship courses as well as the Wee Course over the school holidays.
“Youngsters are the future and lifeblood of any golf club and hopefully this multi-faceted 12-month plan will help engage youngsters in the sport we love.”
For more information contact Neil on 01250 872622.