Paul Lawrie during a clubgolf lesson at Kintore School (picture courtesy of Press and Journal)

Paul Lawrie gives golf equipment to Aberdeenshire schools

Paul Lawrie is spear-heading the drive to put golf clubs in the hands of every child in Aberdeenshire after handing over golf equipment worth £5000 to local schools.

Three years ago the 1999 Open Champion launched firstclubgolf, the national junior golf strategy clubgolf’s introductory game.  In March 2005 he unveiled the Aberdeenshire clubgolf Junior Golf Strategy, created by the partnership of Aberdeenshire Council, The Paul Lawrie Foundation and clubgolf, at Aspire Golf Centre.

 

The Paul Lawrie Foundation continued its commitment to Aberdeenshire junior golf today by giving its third annual instalment of £5000 worth of firstclubgolf equipment.  Paul also found time to watch the children of Kintore Primary School begin their firstclubgolf lessons.

 

firstclubgolf uses multi-coloured modified clubs, rubberised balls and Velcro targets to give children an enjoyable introduction to the game.  Last year over 26,000 children across Scotland experienced firstclubgolf, many of them choosing to progress to the second stage of the programme at local clubs. 

 

This year alone, clubgolf aims to introduce 2580 Aberdeenshire primary school children to golf through firstclubgolf at school.

 

These children will have the opportunity to move on to Stage 1 of the clubgolf programme at one of the 24 Aberdeenshire clubs committed to the strategy.  One hundred and seventy four Aberdeenshire golf club members have become trained to deliver Stage 1 of the programme.  A further 25 are due to be trained early this year.

 

“clubgolf is proving to be extremely popular with the young people of Aberdeenshire and the sound structure of the Aberdeenshire Junior Golf Strategy is giving more children than ever the opportunity to play the game,” said Paul Lawrie.

 

“By providing this equipment every primary school in Aberdeenshire will have the opportunity to use golf clubs, targets and balls which will allow every child the chance to have an introduction to the game of golf.

 

“clubgolf has the potential to introduce children to a game for life, promoting good health and instilling important social values. It also offers a structured programme which could guide complete beginners through every level up to the professional game.”

 

Said Kintore Head Teacher, Wilma Walker, “Paul is something of a local hero and it was wonderful for our children to start their clubgolf coaching this year with him.

 

“This will be the second year we will have introduced our children to clubgolf.  We have 56 children doing it and 50 last year.  It’s been very popular and has provided really good links with our local golf club, Kintore, where a lot of the children have gone on to receive the second stage of coaching.”