Perthshire golf club to usher in new era thanks to agreement

Pitlochry: Members will have access to top brands and custom fitting

A Highland Perthshire golf club has hooked up with Perth’s Noah’s Ark Golf Centre to usher in a new era.

Pitlochry Golf Club, which dates back to 1909, has struck a deal with Niall McGill’s team to handle the full gamut of professional golf services for members and visitors to the picturesque course in the shadow of Ben Vrackie.

Niall was hailed the Foremost Golf Professional of the Year 2017 and he has played an integral role in reviving the fortunes of Perth’s historic North Inch municipal course.

“It’s a great opportunity for the club, Pitlochry Golf and ourselves to adopt a collaborative approach,” he said. “With Noah’s Ark involvement members will have more access to all the top brands, for custom fitting, Flightscope and trialling clubs on course.”

Niall has mapped out wide-ranging plans for the season ahead.

“We will be offering everything from club, buggy and trolley hire to coaching from our team of qualified professionals. We will be working closely with Pitlochry Golf to grow and develop golf in the area, making full use of practice facilities which are among the best in the region,” he said.

“The club secured Sport Scotland and Perth and Kinross Council funding a few years ago and it is an amazing set-up. Every club would want facilities like there are here.

“Pitlochry offers a driving range with covered and open bays, a dedicated teaching studio, a short game area and a six-hole par 3 course which is ideal for beginners and families.

“The course itself is stunning and regularly features on lists of Scotland’s hidden gems. A leading American golf travel writer recently described Pitlochry as ‘the best golf course in the world under 6,000 yards’. Reviews like that should ensure it is less hidden!

“We will be setting up a family day in May with the emphasis on mums and the kids, and working with the club’s volunteer coaches.

“We will be supporting the successful Scottish Golf ‘Get Into Golf’ programme and looking to encourage newcomers and also helping returning adults back into the game.

“There is a great opportunity for expanding the visitor golf market, given that Pitlochry is a popular tourist destination.

“When I was a young pro in Portugal residential schools were very popular and I see scope for that here.

“The golf and coaching could be combined with other attractions like hill walking, adventure sports and even distillery tours.”

The new season at Pitlochry opens this weekend with the traditional captains v vice-captains days. Teams led by Roger Howarth and Peter Rhodes play tomorrow, while Sunday sees Louise Kelly and Isabel Masson leading their respective teams.

“We will be setting up a family day in May with the emphasis on mums and the kids, and working with the club’s volunteer coaches. NIALL MCGILL

Niall McGill, centre, of Noah’s Ark Golf Centre joins Mike Winton, general manager, and Greg Carruthers, director of Pitlochry Golf Ltd, after striking an agreement which will promote the game in Highland Perthshire.