Torquil
McInroy and Willie MacKay (clubgolf), Jake Williams and
Mandy Henderson (Shetland Islands Active Schools Co-ordinators),
with Neil Watt (Shetland Islands Sport & Leisure Services
Manager) and children from Sounds Primary School, Lerwick,
at the launch of the Shetland Junior Golf Action Plan
New
golf programme for Shetland children
A
new programme designed to encourage children in Shetland
to develop an interest in golf and adopt a moractive lifestyle
was launched at the Clickimin Centre in Lerwick.
The Shetland
Junior Golf Action Plan is linked to Scotland’s
National Junior Golf Development programme, clubgolf,
a partnership between the Scottish Golf Union, Scottish
Ladies Golfing Association, Professional Golfers Association,
The Golf Foundation and sportscotland that aims to
create the opportunity for every child to experience
golf by age nine, and to increase junior participation
in golf in Scotland.
The Shetland
Junior Golf Action Plan aims to:
-
Introduce
500 nine year olds in Shetland to firstclubgolf (clubgolf’s
introductory game, delivered in school) programme
by 2009
-
Retain
140 nine to fifteen year olds in Shetland’s
clubgolf programme from 2009
-
Increase
the number of girls playing golf in Shetland by 10
percent in 2008 and 2009
-
Increase
junior membership numbers at golf clubs
-
Develop
and sustain a base of PGA Level 1 qualified volunteer
coaches, increasing the opportunity for children
to sustain an interest in golf
-
Create
a facility infrastructure for golf development which
supports increased participation at Club level.
Shetland’s
Junior Golf Action Plan is
already making its mark. Shetland Golf Club and
Whalsay Golf Clubs have signed up to clubgolf and will
run coaching programmes this summer. Twenty local
golfers are qualified as PGA Level 1 volunteer coaches,
ready to deliver clubgolf Stage 1, a 40 hour course
covering the fundamentals of putting, chipping, full
swing, rules and etiquette, over the next two years
at the two clubs.
Stimulating
the interest within local schools is clubgolf’s
introductory game, firstclubgolf. Launched
by former Open Champion, Paul Lawrie, firstclubgolf uses
multi-coloured modified clubs, rubberised balls and Velcro
targets to give nine year olds an enjoyable and safe
first experience of the game within the boundaries of
the school.
In
2007 alone, 26,000 nine year olds in Scotland were introduced
to golf through firstclubgolf, including 180 youngsters
in 12 schools in Shetland. In 2008, firstclubgolf
will rollout to all primary schools in Shetland, delivered
by the Active Schools Team from Shetland Islands Council,
with the support of school PE staff.
"The
potential for juniors to play golf in Shetland is immense,” said
Willie MacKay, clubgolf’s Highlands & Islands
Regional Manager:
“Whalsay
and Shetland Golf Clubs have marvellous courses which
both hosted the golf programme of the 2005 NatWest Island
Games. With both soon to have improved junior facilities
there will be a pathway from beginner through to elite
player.
“There
are further golf facilities at Asta and few other local
authorities can boast a walk on 9-hole course like the
Knab where beginners in the Lerwick area can play free
of charge once they learn the basic skills through the
clubgolf Stage 1 coaching.
“The
primary pupils are having great fun with firstclubgolf
introductory game at school and the enthusiasm of the
volunteer coaches in the clubs is breath-taking.
“Now
the Action Plan is in place we will see the continuing
growth of golf Shetland and with modern video links the
islands are set for a remote coaching pilot with links
to mainland professionals."
