East Dunbartonshire clubs join junior drive to introduce juniors

Children in the Kirkintilloch area have better opportunities than ever to take up golf after two local clubs joined forces with Scotland’s junior golf programme, clubgolf, this summer.

clubgolf is a partnership between the Scottish Golf Union, the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association, the Professional Golfers' Association, the Golf Foundation and sportscotland. It emerged from Scotland’s successful bid to host the Ryder Cup and is a result of the Scottish Government’s commitment to introduce every nine-year-old child in Scotland to the game.

Realising the need to add lifeblood to the game Hayston and Kirkintilloch Golf Clubs have both begun delivering clubgolf Stage 1 programmes.

The move coincides with a surge of interest in golf from children this year. Over 1200 children across Dunbartonshire had an introduction to golf in primary school this year through clubgolf’s introductory game, firstclubgolf.

Sparking an interest in a young generation of children is one thing but the critical stage of the clubgolf programme is recruiting nearby clubs and helping their members become fully qualified to offer a structured programme.

“We’ve had a really good response here at Hayston and the Club has been supportive,” said one ofg the Club’s Pro, Peter Kerr, who leads the clubgolf programme supported by two PGA Level 1 coaches. “I’ve got 53 kids in my Stage 1 Year 1 class. The kids love it and the parents are 100% behind it.”

The reaction is the same at nearby Kirkintilloch Golf Club, which organised for five of its members to become qualified PGA Level 1 coaches this year and have since attracted 26 children onto its clubgolf Stage 1 course.

“Our junior section is around 80 boys and 10 girls,” said Peter Halkett who last year became the Club’s Junior Convener. “After discussions with Colin Bell (clubgolf Regional Manager) and the Club’s Captain we decided to enhance the programme we’ve got for our juniors by putting in clubgolf for the younger juniors.

“I’d recommend that all golf clubs enroll in clubgolf and get as many kids involved as they possibly can. The kids love it, they turn up every week and they’re as keen as mustard.

“We’ve had other opportunities through clubgolf. Last month we took a group of kids to Gleneagles to play on the Wee Course and they had an absolute ball, and we took a couple to the Carrick for a clinic with Monty. They loved it.”

Hayston and Kirkintilloch’s involvement means that three clubs in East Dunbartonshire are delivering clubgolf programmes. Bishopbriggs Golf Club was the first to see clubgolf’s potential and has had spectacular success since offering coaching in 2005. It now has a well developed programme and facilities, boasts a Junior Academy with covered driving bays and a junior 6-hole course.

“It’s excellent to see more clubs get involved in 2008 and there is great potential for further development in the area,” said clubgolf Regional Manager for Argyll & Dunbartonshire, Colin Bell.

“There has been more interest from golf clubs, volunteer members of golf clubs and local PGA Pros this year and clubgolf welcomes interest from anybody keen to help young golfers develop.

“The schools programme has been really well received, offering children an alternative to the traditional school sports. The Dunbartonshire Active Schools Team has been very supportive of the firstclubgolf programme and is now keen to encourage links with as many local golf clubs as possible.”

The aim is to recruit more clubs and improve links with the local primary schools.

“The strongest clubgolf programmes in Scotland are where golf clubs have a strong link with their local primary schools and Active Schools Coordinator,” said Colin. “This makes the advertising and recruitment for the programme very easy for the clubs, who can then concentrate on introducing the kids to their coaching programmes when they arrive at the club.”

If you are a golf club interested in finding out more about how clubgolf can help develop your junior section or a volunteer who is interested in getting involved as a helper or a golf coach, please contact Colin Bell, clubgolf Regional Manager for Argyll & Dunbartonshire on cbell@clubgolfscotland.co.uk or 07882 364340