Hundreds of children enjoy Gleneagles experience

September 2009

Over 250 children from school and golf clubs across Scotland taking part in clubgolf programmes were given a unique opportunity to develop their skills at Gleneagles last week.
 
The children - from Angus, Clackmannanshire, Edinburgh, Fife, Glasgow, Perthshire, and West Lothian - were all treated to a one hour coaching session from PGA professionals and clubgolf volunteer coaches; instruction covered bunker play, putting and the full swing. Then they watched Europe’s top professional golfers playing the tournament.
 
“The children were really excited to have this opportunity and they got a lot out of the day,” said Lynn Brown, a classroom assistant from South Muir Primary School in Angus.
 
“They all play golf and they have good opportunities to play the game locally.  Not many children can say they have been to Gleneagles and a day like today will help keep them interested in the game. We are really grateful to clubgolf and Gleneagles for inviting us.”  
 
Said Hazel Hume, a teacher at Deer Park Primary School in Clackmannanshire: “The children all said this was a fabulous experience.  They did chipping, putting and learnt how to get out of a bunker and they loved it. They watched the Pros teeing off and saw Callum Macaulay on the 18th - he’s our local golfer and he gave them a wave which made their day.”
 
Launched at Gleneagles in 2003 as a lasting legacy to Scotland’s successful bid to host the Ryder Cup, clubgolf is the national junior golf programme formed through the partnership of the Scottish Golf Union, the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association, the Professional Golfers' Association, the Golf Foundation and sportscotland.
 
This year clubgolf introduced 38,784 of Scotland’s primary school children to the golf through the programmes introductory game.
 
Junior coaching last week is part of Gleneagles’ and the European Tour’s commitment to promoting junior golf in Scotland through clubgolf. 
 
Other major golf events in Scotland this summer, including The Open at Turnberry and the Scottish Hydro Challenge at Spey Valley, also featured clubgolf coaching.
For the sixth year in succession clubgolf is giving hundreds of children the opportunity to experience Gleneagles by offering participating clubs the chance to play on The Wee Course between June and October.
 
Martin Ritchie clubgolf Regional Manager for Tayside & Fife said:  “It was great to see so many kids eager to participate in the coaching sessions over the four days and we would like to thank Gleneagles and the European Tour for helping us create this fabulous opportunity.
 
“Judging from the feedback from children, their teachers and our coaches, the visit was a huge success and will no doubt help keep them involved and progressing in the game.”