Youngsters in the swing at golf club
Initiative to get kids on the course
Langlands Golf Club have t e amed up wit h Broadless Golf Cl ub’s PGA professional to help nur t ure t he nex t generation of players - and ensure the club has a future.
Dougie Borland, the club captain at Langlands, f ears his club could cease to exist if youngsters don’ t come through.
And he has managed to enlist the assistance of Paul McKay, PGA pro at Chapelton-based Broadless GC, to bring in aspiring golfers for a series of mini tournaments to hone their skills.
In collaboration with South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, a group of 15 youngsters have been given access to the council-run course to get hands-on experience.
Dougie told the News :“If we don’t get junior members through, in 10 years time we might not have a golf club, never mind a golf course.
“It’ s an ageing sport and enough kids aren’ t getting involved.
“If we can get these kids through, get them a bit of coaching, get them on a golf course, then hopefully it will work out.
“This gives kids an introduction to actually going out and playing on a golf course, instead of turning up and hitting balls off a rubber mat at a golf range.
“They play a three-hole mini tournament and each of the players will go from 25 yards and keep their score.
“They can move back to 50 yards and 100 yards and so on as they go along, so it’s a good system for them to learn and improve.”
The initiative–which involves youngsters who are not attached to any clubs – has proved to be such a success, Borland hopes to host another two events before the end of the year and plans are afoot for it to return in 2021.
He added: “They had their second session on Saturday and the feedback we’ve had is great. All the parents are absolutely delighted and very positive.
“The plan now is to get another two in before the end of the season before the weather gets bad.
“We are hoping to keep these 15 kids going and build it up next year.
“It’s great that we are getting support from the council on it and the help of Paul and our course convenor Robert Ross has been fantastic.”
It is hoped the players will be encouraged to stick with the sport and eventually become members.