Cluny
Golf joins forces with clubgolf
Aspiring young golfers
in the Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy area have the perfect
opportunity to take up the game after Cluny Golf joined
forces with the national junior golf programme, clubgolf.
Emerging out of Scotland’s successful bid to
host the Ryder Cup, clubgolf is a partnership between
the Scottish Golf Union, the Scottish Ladies' Golfing
Association, the Professional Golfers' Association,
the Golf Foundation and sportscotland which aims to
create the opportunity for every nine-year-old child
to have an introduction to golf.
This year 38,000 P5 children - 1644 of them from Fife - were given an introduction
to the game at school through clubgolf’s introductory game, firstclubgolf.
clubgolf worked with Fife’s Active Schools team, to establish strong links
with local schools to ensure sufficient exit routes into golf clubs and facilities
to cope with the demand for coaching from local pupils. Meanwhile a growing
number of the area’s golf clubs have come on board to offer children clubgolf
coaching.
The new addition of Cluny Golf, a division of Cluny Clays Leisure, adds another
essential link in the chain.
“We’d heard some good reports about clubgolf from other Pros who
are involved,” said Cluny Golf Pro, Colin Mitchell.
“We had tried other junior programmes before but clubgolf has got such
a good structure, which takes children right through a pathway from complete
beginner, that we thought it would be the best way to go.”
Colin has already gone the extra mile this year by teaching clubgolf’s
introductory game, firstclubgolf, in eight local schools, in his own time. One
of the schools, Auchtertool Primary School, enjoyed the experience so much that
it now brings its children to Cluny Golf for clubgolf Stage 1 coaching on Wednesday
afternoons.
Last Saturday Cluny Golf opened its clubgolf Stage 1 coaching course for local
children and 17 children signed up. It is another encouraging sign that
golf amongst children is on the up.
clubgolf Stage 1 is normally delivered by qualified volunteer coaches. But
Cluny Golf is an exception in that its PGA Pro, Colin Mitchell, is giving the
coaching. With the golf season effectively over, having a covered facility,
with six heated bays, means the coaching can continue through the winter.
“We are starting by teaching Stage 1 but because I am a Pro I can potentially
coach children to the advanced stages,” said Colin.
“Because 17 of our bays are under cover we have the ideal set up to coach
children at any time of the year and in any weather.
“Our 9-hole course is perfect for children and we will be putting in junior
tees next year, so children will have their own course. We also plan to
keep the coaching going year round.”
clubgolf offers a new approach to junior golf development and Cluny Golf shares
a growing view of juniors’ importance in the game.
“Children are the future of the game,” said Colin. “And
golf is a fantastic game for children.
“It’s great for their health, for their interaction with other children
and for developing friendships.
“Getting so many children involved in golf at such a young age never happened
before so our aim is to encourage children to play and keep them interested and
developing.
“By teaching them good habits and the right skills they will have a game
for life.”
For any children, ideally beginners and under 12, interested in clubgolf
coaching at Cluny Golf (the price is £30 for the five week course – all
equipment provided free of charge), please contact Colin Mitchell on:
Telephone: 01592 720374
Email: enquiries@clunygolf.co.uk
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Colin Mitchell coaching children from Auchtertool Primary
School at Cluny Golf, by Rob Eyton-Jones
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