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