Open day as school promotes golf chance
Beaconhurst School is hosting its first Golf Academy Open Day next month in a bid to grow the popular sport.
The independent Bridge of Allan school has been gradually developing its grassroots golf programme under the leadership of PGA Professional Tim Mitchell since 2016. A state-of-the-art golf hub – which won praise from Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews – was opened at the school last year.
And the programme, which began with six golfers, now has 48 pupils of all ages involved.
The open day takes place at the school on Saturday, June 16, from 9.30 to 11.30am and young people with a passion for the sport and their parents are invited to come along.
Tim, a Level 3 PGA coach, developed the innovative Par System Golf programme which uses a variety of coaching techniques and challenges to create an individualised pathway for each pupil.
They work through levels appropriate to their ability to build up technical skills and set future goals.
He has set up a four-tier system beginning with an introduction to golf for the youngest pupils and leading up to a performance squad for the most able players.
Tim said: “We’re looking to create a culture of golf for our children and we do that by combining a fun and laidback atmosphere with the developmental side so they don’t feel they are under pressure.
“The open day is aimed at strengthening the squads and giving local children the opportunity to come and look at our golf programme.
“It should be a fun day – we’ll have a driving range set up on the Astroturf and do some co-ordination statistics and reaction skills as well as using the equipment in the golf hub.”
The programme has already seen pupils benefit in a variety of ways with one pupil, Zoe Morton, securing a place to study business on a golf scholarship at the University of Oklahoma.
Meanwhile, Zoe and two others from the performance squad, Rory Bayne and Harry Clark, are worldclass Category One golfers which means they play off a handicap of five or less – compared to an average handicap of 17.
To sign up for the open day and to find out more about the golf programme and golf scholarships, which can reduce fees by up to 50 per cent, contact admissions@ beaconhurst.com or call the school on 01786 832146.