Champions hope to inspire more women
They were crowned champions of Scotland at the weekend.
Now Perth and Kinross Ladies County Golf Association hopes their success on the national stage will serve as inspiration to others.
Captain of the team Jillian Milne would love to see more girls and ladies hit the fairways of courses across the region.
“We would like to increase our membership in the county and encourage women to take up the game,” Jillian explained to the PA.
“The thing about golf is that it is a real intergenerational sport. It doesn’t matter if you are five or 85 — you can still play golf.
“My hope is that, on the back of our success, we can awaken an interest in the game again. Our win can shine a light on the county. We really just want to encourage women to play, whether their handicap is +4 or 34.”
The Scottish County Finals triumph at Forres Golf Club was the first in 68 years for Perth and Kinross ladies. The team of eight finished well clear of Midlothian and also Dunbartonshire and Argyll.
On the back of the success, county players will soon pass on their experience and knowledge to youngsters at Strathmore Golf Centre. Again, it is about inspiring the next generation.
“It’s about encouragement and giving the girls something to aim towards,” stressed Jillian.
“We have got youngsters coming through and we now have a new junior convenor, who I’m sure will do really well.
“Gillian Wallace, who has been busy with the juniors at Milnathort, can have the same magic effect with the county.
“If you get people young enough and enthuse them, you will get players coming through. You want to have the choice and where there is competition to get into the team.”
Away from the competitive side of the game, Jillian highlighted the social benefits of the sport at all levels.
She pointed to the successful ladies’ Get into Golf initiative at King James
VI Golf Club and would love to see that replicated elsewhere.
“Moira Lumby, who is leading the King James VI initiative, was a former county player,” Jillian said.
“We need more of these things to happen. There is the whole social side to golf. It’s not just about spending three hours wandering around a course.
“It is about making friends too. Once involved in a club, there are often other activities. Members are engaged right through the year.”
The county will remain engaged through the year, too, with plans afoot for winter training.
Jillian said: “We’ll be trying to keep the buzz and will look towards getting coaching in place over the winter.
“There is a two-ball event on September 13 at Blair Atholl and there will then be the Champion of Champions.”