Open door to encourage young golfers

In just two weeks’ time, the eyes of the world will be on Carnoustie as it hosts the 147 th Open. But when the TV crews pack up and the crowds disperse, a new challenge will begin – to ensure a lasting legacy for the younger generation.

For organisers The R&A, attracting more juniors into golf is one of its greatest ambitions, with The Open, which runs from July 15 to 22, seen as one of the biggest opportunities to inspire interest and enthusiasm among young people.

Johnnie Cole Hamilton, executive director of championships at The R&A, explained: “Strategically it’s really important to us to appeal to all demographics, and young people are hugely important as the future of the game.

“We’re doing a lot of things [at The Open]. We have a kids-go-free initiative which enables any young person under the age of 16 to attend The Open free of charge, and we’re now well north of half a million kids attending under that policy since it began in 1997.

“We’ve increased the upper age of the Youth Ticket from 21 to 24. Two years ago we introduced The Open Camping Village, and anyone who has a Youth Ticket or is under the age of 16 can stay there free of charge.

“We have worked really hard on our Autograph Zone where youngsters can meet their heroes and get selfies taken with them. We’ve got the Sky OpenZone on the practice ground where youngsters and their families can watch presenters from Sky Sports offer tips and advice to young golfers. There is The R&A Swingzone where they can get free lessons from PGA professionals, and we’ve got the HSBC Grassroots Skillzone where kids can put their skills to the test in a fun and friendly environment.”

Beyond The Open, The R&A invests heavily in growing the game of golf, including through grassroots initiatives, coaching, public facilities, equipment, amateur events and student golf. Their Foundation Scholarship programme funds talented young golfers to compete while completing their studies, while a three-year funding package of £375,000 is being awarded to affiliates across the UK and Ireland to appoint development managers to focus on increasing participation among women.

The Open will also leave a lasting legacy for Scottish golf in the form of newly-enhanced indoor facilities for public use at Carnoustie Golf Links, hosts for this year’s event.

Colin Sinclair, head PGA pro at the club, explained: “The Open generates so much interest and allows us to keep improving our facilities, which then brings benefits to both members and visitors.

“My role as a head pro is to promote participation in golf. You can have all the initiatives in the world but if you don’t have the cash it’s very difficult to roll them out.

“We now have an indoor facility that includes seven golf simulators that we want kids to come down to use. We want more boys, girls, women and families playing golf. It’s very inexpensive to use so it’s inclusive rather than exclusive.”

It is the broad appeal of golf in being a sport for all that Colin believes is one of the keys to its future.

He said: “Different golf clubs will have different initiatives, but the old way of running a club isn’t working. You need to look at your audience and the time they have and how they’re living their lives.

“There are very few sports that the whole family can play. With golf you can all have a giggle and a laugh and enjoy some time together.”