THE R&A TO HELP BRING GOLF

TO 70,000 CHILDREN IN CHINA

5 May 2008, St Andrews, Scotland: The R&A has announced its full support of China’s only officially sanctioned junior golf development scheme, the HSBC China Junior Golf Programme, bringing £100,000 of funding and its expertise to help extend golf’s reach in China.
The programme was launched last May, attracting over 1,200 junior golfers to attend its seven tournaments and two summer camps. This year the scope of the programme will expand significantly, with the game being brought into 40 schools in the cities of Beijing, Hefei and Yunnan before also entering schools in Shanghai later in the year, resulting in more than 70,000 boys and girls being introduced to golf in 2008.
"Helping develop the game of golf in China is one of our key priorities," said Duncan Weir, Director of Golf Development for The R&A.
“We're delighted to be a partner in a programme such as this. It's something that will help us reach tens of thousands of potential new golfers, many of whom might not otherwise get the chance to try the game."
The programme incorporates a series of tournaments held across China and a national ranking system for junior golfers has been created, with both being run jointly by the CGA and IMG. Also included are a series of summer camps at which players will receive intensive coaching on all aspects of the game.
John Cappo, Managing Director of IMG China Golf, said, “IMG do so much in professional golf it’s great to give something back, and with the blessing and backing of The R&A we can really take the programme to the next level.”
"What we have set out to do is create a structure on which all future development can be based,” said Giles Morgan, HSBC’s Global Head of Sponsorship.
“This structure promotes the growth of the game; it makes it more accessible and helps generate more and more golfers. But it also provides the foundation on which China can grow and develop its champions of the future."
The R&A contributes more than £4 million to golf development each year, with a high percentage channelled in support of junior golf.

Elie Results

Here are the results of the Junior competitions held at Elie this week.

Under 18 Boys
Winner James White Runner up Daniel Young

Under 16 Boys
Winner Iain Watson Runner up Reece Mitchell

Under 14 Boys
Winner Ewan Scott Runner up Robbie Spriddle

Under 12 Boys
Winner Ben Kinsley Runner up Gus Giddins

Under 18 Girls
Winner Annabel Niven Runner up Ashley Smith

Under 14 Girls
Winner Gail Wilson (Monifieth)

Under 12 Girls
Winner Heather Munro (Monifieth)

Buchanan Castle GC Junior Open Day success

(Picture above: The Duke of Montrose with local children at Buchanan Castle Golf Club’s Open Day, by Steph Brown)

Buchanan Castle Golf Club, which joined forces with the national junior golf programme, clubgolf in 2007 attracted 68 children to its Open Day for children and their families on Sunday.

The Buchanan Castle course, near Drymen, is part of Montrose Estates. The Duke of Montrose, one of the United Kingdom's most senior politicians, is its managing director and attended the Open Day to meet the children and show his support.

Recognising an absence of golf facilities in the area that cater for golfers of all ages and abilities, the Club, near Drymen, has developed a six-hole course which it plans to increase to nine, and a dedicated short-game area.

"Over the last season we have created a six hole Academy course, set up for juniors and we will develop another three, so ultimately we will have a nine hole par 3 course with holes from 60 to 240 yards," said Keith Baxter, the Club's Head Golf Professional.

"We'll have a driving range as well this summer and we already have planning permission for covered bays too. It will be ideal for the kids and will give them a place they can come and develop their game without being intimidated on a big course. We hope this will create an environment where they can relax and enjoy it, remain playing golf and become full members."

By signing up for clubgolf, Mr Baxter along with his team of Golf Professionals and PGA qualified Level 1 Volunteer Coaches, can offer young golfers, particularly primary school-aged children who have experienced the programme's introductory game, firstclubgolf, in school, a golf coaching programme which could take them right up to area coaching level.

Sunday's Open Day was an opportunity to welcome children and families, giving them a taste of what the Academy has to offer.

"It was a fantastic day and it was nice to see everyone liked what we were trying to do," said Mr Baxter. "Sixty-eight kids came and 65 have signed up for coaching already. Not only were the kids excited but the parents were too and hopefully a few of them will come aboard. Katie Oman (clubgolf's Central Scotland Regional Manager) put in a lot of hard work and clubgolf has been very supportive."

Although their main target is children that have experienced the firstclubgolf programme in school, the Club is also welcoming beginners and more established golfers alike.

"We are really keen to get the children in, get them started, encourage them and remove all the barriers in their way," said Mr Baxter. "We've started an Academy membership so children can join the wee course and use the practice facilities and the clubhouse. There's coaching included in the first year's membership so we can encourage and educate them.

"We're trying to get more families involved and since the Open Day, we've had people calling asking if they can attend. So word has got out.”

Said Katie Oman, clubgolf's Central Scotland Regional Manager: "Not only is the model being created at Buchanan Castle GC very exciting for junior golf development and the local community, it is an example of good practice for other clubs to look at."

For information on Buchanan Castle GC please contact the pro shop on:

T: 01360 660330

Helensburgh juniors invited to Loch Lomond

clubgolf Press Release

Juniors at Helensburgh Golf Club who are receiving coaching through the national junior golf development programme, clubgolf, were given the most inspiring start to the new golf season after being invited to Loch Lomond Golf Club last week.

Helensburgh member and former Club Champion, Peter Haggerty, who is Assistant Superintendent on the spectacular, world famous course which hosts the Barclays Scottish Open, invited a dozen of the Club’s children and volunteer coaches.

“Peter knew we were doing clubgolf in Helensburgh and thought the children would enjoy the experience,” said Stewart Coutts, clubgolf Coordinator at Helensburgh.

“We were shown around the course, given an hour on the practice green where two holes had been cut for the kids to chip and putt on, then we had lunch in the clubhouse. They had a fantastic time and we’re very grateful to Loch Lomond for making us all so welcome.”

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. The programme has been developed as a direct result of the Scottish Government’s commitment to introduce every nine-year-old child in Scotland to the game.

The 12 children who experienced Loch Lomond were part of Helensburgh’s clubgolf Stage 1 programme last summer. A 40-hour course taught by volunteer coaches over two years, Stage 1 covers the fundamentals of putting, chipping, full swing, rules and etiquette.

Eleven Helensburgh members have been trained to coach on the PGA Level 1 programme. Last year’s Stage 1 children were all club members but, with clubgolf introductory game being made available to P5 children in local schools after Easter, the Club plans to open its doors to its community’s children this season.

“Last year we did the clubgolf coaching with our own young members, 10 and 11 year olds, who were just starting in golf and it was a great success,” said Mr Coutts.

“This summer we are hoping to take some of the children that have played the introductory game in school and want to progress.

"Unfortunately our practice facility at Helensburgh is very small but we are looking for other potential venues."

Buchanan Castle Golf Club Junior Open Day

clubgolf Press Release

Buchanan Castle Golf Club, which joined forces with the national junior golf programme, clubgolf, this year to encourage children and their families to play golf, is holding an Open Day for juniors this Sunday (30 March) between 11am and 4pm.

Recognising an absence of facilities in the area, the Club, near Drymen, has developed a six-hole course, which it plans to increase to nine, and a dedicated short-game area.

“Over the last season we have created a six hole Academy course, set up for juniors and we will develop another three, so ultimately we will have a nine hole par 3 course with holes from 60 to 240 yards,” said Keith Baxter, the Club’s professional.

“We’ll have a driving range as well this summer and we already have planning permission for covered bays too.

“It will be ideal for the kids and will give them a place they can come and develop their game without being intimidated on a big course. We hope this will create an environment where they can relax and enjoy it, remain playing golf and become full members.”

By joining forces with clubgolf, Mr Baxter can offer young golfers, particularly primary school-aged children who have experienced the programme’s introductory game, firstclubgolf, in school, a golf coaching programme which could take them right up to area coaching level.

This Sunday’s Open Day is an opportunity to welcome children and families, giving them a taste of what the Academy has to offer.

“The Open Day is primarily for children coming through the schools looking to progress, but if people come that are a bit more established or that are complete beginners we will be delighted to see them,” said Mr Baxter.

“We’ve started an Academy membership so children can join the wee course and use the practise facilities and the clubhouse. There’s coaching included in the first year’s membership so we can encourage and educate them.”

For information on Buchanan Castle GC and this weekend’s Open Day please contact the pro shop on Tel: 01360 660330.

Elie Boys and Girls tournament

The draw for the 56th Elie Boys and Girls to be held on 1st - 3rd April is now available to download at http://www.golfhouseclub.co.uk/uploads/Draws-2008.xls

450 Juniors Needing Coaching

Golf Coach Karyn Dallas has just received an alarming wake up call for the start of her junior coaching program. She went to her records and discovered that during the close season the number of juniors wanting to receive information on coaching had almost doubled from around 250 to just over 450.

Nine years ago Karyn launched her junior coaching program at Kirriemuir Golf Club to around 30 of the clubs juniors. Within 2 years word had spread and there were over 100 with more and more enquiries all the time. The coaching struggled to cope for a couple of years until a management program was introduced which enabled Karyn to quickly sort and organise over 200 students.

It was feared that such a quantity of students would stifle quality but these fear were allayed when in 2006 junior boys from Kirriemuir would dominate the Angus County Junior Order of Merit; taking the top eight slots. In 2007 they nearly made the double when Amy Taylor won the girls OOM and Daniel Naismith finished 2nd in the boys OOM.

When Karyn launched the program she was unaware of what she had achieved. The program has proved universally successful at all levels. As stated it was able to attract and retain a large number of students of which 30% are female. It was used as a national program by the SLGA and is success can be seen in the strength of the current Scottish Girls team who were all introduced to the program at an early age. When Karyn was asked to do some work with the local special needs community she simply adapted the sessions to suit the mental age and physical abilities of the students. At the top level two students, Jenna Wilson and Pamela Feggans earned tour cards in late 2007.

A commercial version of the program is overdue and following a very successful pilot at Montrose with Professional Jason Boyd another pilot is currently being rolled out in England. Karyn is looking for suitable locations in Ireland and Wales so if anyone is interested please contact Karyn by email karyn@tgolf.info

clubgolf at Melville Golf Centre

Melville Golf Centre Open Day for junior golfers in Midlothian

Melville Golf Centre, which has signed up to the national junior golf development programme, clubgolf, is holding an Open Day for juniors on Saturday 29 March (from 10.00am to 1.00pm).

The Open Day will include putting and pitching lessons for boys and girls. There will be free competitions for children aged between eight and twelve years old, and an opportunity to win a free place on the Centre’s clubgolf Summer Term programme and free rounds of golf at Melville Golf Course, starting 12 April.

“We are hoping that around 100 children will come along for the morning,” said Centre Manager, Alastair Macfarlane.

“This would be ideal for primary school children that are having clubgolf coaching at school this coming term and are looking to progress to the next stage.”

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. The programme has been developed as a direct result of the Scottish Government’s commitment to introduce every nine-year-old child in Scotland to golf.

Melville Golf Centre joined clubgolf last year and to two of its members are PGA Level 1 volunteer coaches. Together with the Centre’s PGA professional, they will be running clubgolf Stage 1 coaching programmes this summer.

“We started clubgolf a year ago and before that we were with the Golf Foundation for nine years,” said Mr Macfarlane

“We are a family centre so we have all the facilities set up for children and we have a pro that is committed to coaching the children.

“We are hoping to get as many children as many as possible to our coaching over the spring and summer so the Open Day will be an opportunity for them to get out and join the fun.”

For information on the Open Day and classes starting April 12th please contact:

Alastair MacFarlane, Melville Golf Centre, Lasswade, Midlothian, EH18 1AN
Tel: 0131 663 8038

Press Release

PRINCE’S TRUST HAS

FUND-RAISING FOR

GOLFERS DOWN

TO A TEE

The Prince’s Trust has announced details of its annual celebrity golf tournament which will be held in the North-east of England on June 26 to raise valuable funds to change young lives across the region.
The amateur golf event is one of three sporting activities to be held this year as part of ‘The Prince’s Trust Challenge Trophy’ which last year raised almost a quarter of a million pounds to support disadvantaged youngsters in the North-east of England.
The one-day golf tournament will take place at the picturesque Slaley Hall in Northumberland and will offer guests a chance to enjoy an exclusive alongside celebrity supporters such as actor Tim Healey and Newcastle United player Paul Bracewell.
David Beavis, North-east Regional Director for The Prince’s Trust, said: “This is not just a fantastic opportunity to play a serious round of golf on a championship course alongside celebrity supporters; this is about raising money to change the lives of many disadvantaged youngsters here in the North-east (of England) who deserve a second chance in life.”
The Challenge Trophy’s series of events will involve two teams of celebrities and members of the public going head-to-head under the colours of team presidents, His Grace, The Duke of Northumberland and The Right Honourable Earl of Durham, Lord Durham.
The tournament will involve 80 players for either the Duke or the Earl and will see celebrities captain each of the 20 four-ball matches over 18 holes of the Hunting Course Championship green. The handicap on the day will be a maximum of 24 for men and 30 for women.
Last year’s hugely popular golf tournament saw 80 players enjoy a sunny round to raise £30,000 with the help of celebrities such as Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer, England cricketer Steve Harmison and former Newcastle United defender John Berseford.
Former Sunderland AFC Captain Kevin Ball and captain of The Lord’s Challenge Trophy 2008 team felt that last year’s golf tournament was a resounding success. “Everyone enjoyed a brilliant day with all proceeds going to an important cause. I would urge keen golfers to sign up this year and help us raise even more money for The Prince’s Trust- A fantastic day, a fantastic golf course and all for a fantastic cause.”
In 2007, The Prince’s Trust supported almost 4,000 14-30 year olds in the North-east of England by providing a range of programmes including personal development courses, business start up finance and grants for community projects.
The youth charity, which works with those who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law needs to raise around £1million per week to continue its valuable work.
The Prince’s Trust Challenge Trophy 2008 is also set to include a Celebrity Clay Shoot and a Celebrity Track Day Driving Experience on 15th July. For further information on all three events, call the regional office on 0191 4973 210.
For information on The Prince’s Trust, please visit www.princes-trust.org.uk/northeast or call us free on 0800 842 842.

Scottish Golf Union Press Release

Six Clubs Short-listed For Junior Awards

Six of Scotland’s golf clubs have been short listed for the final of the inaugural Dunfermline Building Society Junior Club of the Year Awards with the winners to be announced at the Scottish Golf Dinner later this month.
North-east clubs Alford and Inverurie were selected for final nomination, alongside Turnhouse GC from Edinburgh, Greenock Whinhill, Reay Golf Club in the north of Scotland and Ayrshire club, West Kilbride.
Nominations from 50 golf clubs across Scotland were received by the Scottish Golf Union’s judging panel, who were left with the difficult decision of which clubs to leave out.
“The standard of entry has been excellent, demonstrating the high level of commitment many of our clubs have towards encouraging junior participation and growing the game in their communities,” said Andy Salmon, Development Manager for Scottish Golf.
“Whilst we have short listed six golf clubs, all those who were nominated can all be very proud of their efforts and will undoubtedly become the benchmarks for other clubs to follow. All the entries we have received are reflective of the positive attitude Scottish golf has towards youngsters in the game,” he added.
Following the launch of the Awards in December by Tour professionals Peter Whiteford and Clare Queen, clubs have been working hard to complete their nominations, based on their efforts to encourage juniors, provide improved facilities, harness links to their local community and develop talent at their club.
Graeme Dalziel, Chief Executive of sponsors Dunfermline Building Society, was delighted to see the Awards prove so popular in their first year.
“We are very proud to sponsor the Junior Club of the Year Awards and support grass roots golf in Scotland. Much of the hard work done by volunteers in our clubs goes unnoticed and these Awards will help recognise the fantastic efforts of so many people,” he said.
“Dunfermline Building Society’s commitment to junior golf in Scotland will hopefully encourage even more youngsters to get involved in golf across our communities and support the great work being done both locally and nationally.”
The judging panel will select the winning club over the next two weeks, with the announcement of the Junior Club of the Year made at the Scottish Golf Dinner on Friday 28 March in Glasgow.
The winning club will be presented with a cheque for £1000 for their junior section, which will be awarded by former European Tour star Dean Robertson alongside Graeme Dalziel.
The five-runners up will each receive £300, with all clubs represented by their junior convenors at the event.Dunfermline Building Society’s Fairway Saver account, which also supports golf clubs in Scotland, has already attracted nearly 2,000 new customers, with £500 given to any club who signs up 50 of their members.

SCOTS BOY GOLFERS HAVE TITLE

CHANCE IN FRANCE
Scotland boosted their chances of winning the boys' quadrangular international boys' golf title at Saint Cyprien Golf Club in southern France by beating Italy 5 1/2-3 1/2 today. This followed the Scots' 6 1/2-2 1/2 win over France on Friday.
David Law (Hazlehead) and Paul Shields (Kirkhill) were double winners in the foursomes and singles against the Italians. Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) was the Scots' other winner in the singles.
Scotland took the foursomes 2-1 and the singles 3 1/2-2 1/2.
Sunday's Scotland v. Sweden match will be the title decider.
Saturday's results
SCOTLAND 5 1/2, ITALY 3 1/2
Foursomes: S McLaren (King James VI), M Stewart (Troon Welbeck) halved with L Gobbi, V Dall'arche; M Bookless (Sandyhills), A McLachlan (Bonnyton) halved with C Terragni, C Vigano; D Law (Hazlehead), P Shields (Kirkhill) bt A Bolognesi, F Vianelli 2 and 1 (2-1).
Singles: McLaren halved with Terragni, Stewart bt Dall'arche 4 and 3, McLachlan lost to Vigano 3 and 2, Bookless lost to Gobbi 2 and 1, Shields bt Vianelli 2 and 1, Law bt Bolognesi 2 and 1 (3 1/2-2 1/2).
Other result:
France 5, Sweden 4.
How they stand: 1 Scotland 2pt, 2 France and Sweden 1pt each, 4 Italy 0pt.

ends

Press Release

R&A ANNOUNCES FAIRHAVEN GOLF CLUB
AS VENUE FOR THE 2012 JUNIOR
OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

The R&A has announced that Fairhaven Golf Club in Lytham St Annes, England will host the 2012 Junior Open Championships.
Fairhaven Golf Club was founded in 1895, with the current golf course, designed by J H Steer and James Braid opening in 1924. The club has regularly hosted Local Final Qualifying for The Open Championship. Past Open Champion, Justin Leonard holds the professional course record there, which stands at 64 and was set during Final Qualifying in 1996.
Inaugurated in 1994, The Junior Open has been run by The R&A since 2000. All national golf organisations around the world are invited to send one boy and/or one girl, under the age of 16, to compete in the 54-hole event, which is played every two years.
Last year’s Open Championship runner-up Sergio Garcia, Solheim Cup star Paula Creamer and Walker Cup player David Inglis have all played in the Junior Open. Previous venues include Heswall, Kilmarnock (Barassie), Royal Musselburgh and Crail.

BATHGATE COACH TO BOOST JUNIOR NUMBERS

Bathgate Golf Club has joined the clubgolf drive to make the game accessible to every child in Scotland after the club’s Junior Administrator, William Bell, went through the PGA Level 1 volunteer coaching course at Craigielaw Golf Club, East Lothian last weekend.
[Image right: Bathgate’s William Bell (right) with Gary Davison (St Andrews) during the PGA Level 1 training]
Bathgate has a rich tradition of producing top level golfers. Former Ryder Cup captains, Eric Brown and Bernard Gallagher, and 2004 Dunhill Links Champion Steven Gallagher, all hail from the town.
The club even has a bustling junior membership, currently numbering 120. Yet less than 20 percent of these are active competitors. It’s a situation Mr Bell is only too keen to reverse.
“When we have a medal round we probably get only 25 playing children in it,” he said. “I think it’s because the youngsters that have just started are scared to go into the competitions. They don’t want to play with the big boys so the clubgolf coaching might make the difference and we can expect the number of juniors participating in competitions to increase.”
As Junior Administrator, Mr Bell is adept on the administration side of competitions and ferrying players to events, but until now he has not tried teaching the children. But attending the two-day PGA Level 1 training course has equipped him with the skills to make a start.
“I started this because I want to devote time to the juniors and give them consistency and continuity and I’m getting support from the professional, Stuart Callan, and other members of the committee.
“The course was excellent, very professionally delivered and also the material we got to take away has been put together very professionally. We will be starting the coaching this summer.”
On his commitment and enthusiasm alone Mr Wilson could doubtless coach a significant number of the club’s youngsters. But if he is to make an impression on the whole junior membership, and if the club decides to open the coaching to children from the community, particularly encouraging more girls he will need the support of a large band of volunteer coaches
“At the moment it’s just me but I’m trying to drum up more coaches,” he said. “There was a very wide variety of people in terms of age and golfing experience on the coaching course. At the level we will be doing it at, anyone with a bit of knowledge who would like to get involved in coaching would be of benefit to the club.
“We have a tremendous record for competitive golf here,” he said. “We’ve had two Ryder Cup captains, Eric Brown and Bernard Gallagher and Steven Gallagher winning the Dunhill Championships. And we have some talented juniors.
“My question is, where’s the next Steven Gallagher coming from?”

Dunbar Golf Club strengthens commitment to juniors

East Lothian volunteer coaches at the PGA Level 1 volunteer coaching course at Craigielaw Golf Club.

Left to Right: Sandy Wake (Dunbar GC), Joan Lunn (North Berwick GC), Billy Hogg (Dunbar GC) & Ian Whelan (Gullane GC)

Dunbar Golf Club is intensifying its efforts to help clubgolf make the game accessible to every child in Scotland.

Last weekend the Club strengthened its junior coaching team of five by sending a further two members on the PGA Level 1 volunteer coaching course hosted by Craigielaw Golf Club, East Lothian.

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. The strategy has been developed as a direct result of the Scottish Executive's commitment to introduce every nine-year-old child in Scotland to the game by 2009.

Dunbar first began delivering clubgolf in 2006 at Winterfield Golf Course. Coordinated by East Lothian Council, 27 children signed up for its Stage 1 coaching course delivered by club member, Dave Northcott and parent, Scott Turner.

In 2007 the programme moved to Dunbar Golf Club. At the same time the coaching team expanded to five qualified volunteers coaches, in club members Joe Gillan, Craig Grant, Wilson Morton, Dave Northcott and Janet Wake. Assisting them were four other members, Alan Grandison, Billy Hogg and Iain McKane Sandy Wake.

Between them they coached 34 children, 14 of them girls, through clubgolf’s Stage 1 Year 1 and Year 2 programmes.

With the 2008 golf season just weeks away, Dunbar’s coaching programme is set to grow with support from the Club’s new manager, John Archibald.

Four more members have come forward to join its Coaching Team and train as clubgolf Volunteer Coaches to begin coaching in 2008.

“We estimate 20 Primary 5 children will start clubgolf Stage 1 at Dunbar Golf Club this May, bringing the total children involved in the club’s programme to around 50,” said Kate Green, East Lothian Council’s Golf Coordinator.

“This is a fantastic result for the club and the area.”

Sandy Wake was a former volunteer assistant at Dunbar but, by attending the two-day PGA Level 1 training course, is now equipped to begin coaching Stage 1.
“The course was superb and very well organised,” said Mr Wake, one of four East Lothian golf club members who attended the course. “I have never done any formal coaching before now but having been on the course I’m looking forward to making a start in the spring.”

LAURA RUSHBY MOVES FROM
LADIES GOLF UNION TO BE
EAST REGIONAL
MANAGER OF clubgolf

Former Ladies Golf Union (LGU) Championship Manager, Laura Rushby, has been appointed clubgolf Regional Manager for the East of Scotland, bolstering the organisation’s eight-strong regional management team.
Before joining clubgolf, Laura’s multi -task role with the LGU saw her organising British women's mateur tournaments, including the Vagliano Trophy. She was a key member of the team managing last summer’s Ricoh Women’s British Open at St Andrews.
Her LGU post included a logistical role with the Curtis Cup team, where she co-ordinated the planning of winter training programmes, managed the delicate balancing act with coaches and captains, and organised everything in between from team-building to team uniforms.
Whilst there she even found time to learn the game’s rules and pass the R&A Rules Exam.
Switching from the higher stratas of sport to grass roots is not for the faint-hearted but Laura, a Sheffield Hallam University Tourism and Recreation Management graduate, had wanted a key role in golf development ever since she came to Scotland for a work placement at Gleneagles seven years ago.
“When you work with the elite the differences you can make at that level are relatively small,” said Laura, a former Nottinghamshire junior county golfer. “From having once been a junior golfer myself, I know how difficult it can be, particularly as a girl, so I’m passionate and motivated to help children get involved in the game and I really want to make a difference to the younger levels of the sport.
“Through the new approach of clubgolf there’s enormous potential to do this in Scotland, particularly with children from non golfing backgrounds. I’m sure there are plenty of good golfers out there that don’t even know it yet.”
The East already has some great examples of the programme working and there is enormous potential, particularly in club-rich Edinburgh, to attract a new wave of junior players into the game through clubgolf.
Rushby by name, brisk by nature, Laura is making short work of contacting the East’s clubs. Two ‘Club Information Evenings’ have happened already in Midlothian and Borders; a third is scheduled for Edinburgh this week.
“Having already worked at the latter stages of golf development, seeing how golfers can get to county level and beyond, and knowing what kind of competitions their players should be playing in, definitely helps me when I’m speaking to professionals who are involved with clubgolf’s Stage 3.”
She is also helping with the country-wide roll out of the new Girls in Golf programme, a sensible step, given her background at the LGU where she was already working on improving the player pathway for junior girls (she introduced the first GB&I Junior Squad Match at North Berwick Golf Club in October last year).
Her extensive event management experience will be invaluable to clubgolf, which had a presence at every major golf event in Scotland last year.
“The East is one of clubgolf’s larger regions, both in terms of population and number of golf clubs,” said clubgolf Project Manager, Torquil McInroy.
“That means there’s a big challenge ahead but also a fantastic opportunity for clubgolf. Laura hasn’t wasted any time in getting out and about and she’s already making an impact in the clubs she’s dealing with.
“She brings a wealth of experience in golf, which she combines with her naturally engaging personality and a focus on getting the job done. I don’t have any doubt she will make a real difference in the Lothians and Borders, and also to some of clubgolf’s national initiatives. I’m delighted to welcome Laura to the clubgolf team.”
So, having flourished after ‘being thrown in at the deep end’, what is Laura’s initial impression of junior golf in the East?
“East Lothian is going very well, the Edinburgh schools side is good but we need more golf clubs here as there aren’t many exit routes. It’s the same for Midlothian. In the Borders there are pockets where schools and clubs are matched up and pockets where neither are involved," she said.
“With the information evenings you have to do a lot of groundwork to get people along. But once they are there the response is very good and people want to get involved as they can see the benefits it will bring for the children and their golf club.”
“It can be difficult getting within the golf clubs and getting to the people who might be interested in clubgolf. There are some very keen club members out there who want to be involved and help. Getting to them is the challenge.”
If this is YOU, then contact Laura on:
Laura Rushby clubgolf Regional Manager, East of Scotland
E-mail address: lrushby@clubgolfscotland.co.uk
Telephone: 07956 540595

clubgolf at Turnhouse

Attention Edinburgh junior convenors and would-be junior coaches

Junior convenors, golf club members, parents and teachers in the Edinburgh area interested in revitalising their clubs’ junior memberships and attracting more children into the game, are invited to a clubgolf information evening at Turnhouse Golf Club on Thursday 24 January at 7.45pm.

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. The strategy has been developed as a direct result of the Scottish Executive's commitment to create the opportunity for every nine-year-old child in Scotland to experience the game.

Over 26,000 children in Scotland were introduced to golf in 2007 through clubgolf’s introductory game, firstclubgolf. Following the six-week firstclubgolf course, children have the opportunity to progress to the second phase of clubgolf's Player Pathway, Stage 1, hosted by local clubs.

Stage 1 involves 40 hours of coaching delivered over two years, and covers the fundamentals of putting, chipping, full swing, rules and etiquette. Progression through Stage 1 and subsequent stages encourages all children to develop their potential while being welcomed into a golf club and provides access to a structured Player Pathway.

Turnhouse, the first private golf club Edinburgh to sign up to the strategy, in 2005, provides the perfect example of a club which is developing a strong junior section through clubgolf.

Twelve of the club’s members are trained to deliver clubgolf Stage 1 coaching and 49 children were involved in its clubgolf programme in 2007. The club’s Pro, John Murray is one of 20 Pros in Scotland delivering Stage 3 of the programme.

“This will be the fourth year we have been working with clubgolf and it is a programme I can recommend to other clubs in the area,” said Junior Convenor Iain Holt.

“clubgolf has allowed us to be part of the community and get involved with local schools. Now we are seeing the children coming through the development pathway and becoming members of the golf club.”

A new junior practice facility (which received £28,000 sportscotland Lottery funding) is due to open in April 2008, enabling Mr Holt and his coaching team to “double our capacity to coaching approximately 80 children”.

In Edinburgh firstclubgolf is currently being delivered at many primary schools during curriculum time, with more schools preparing to introduce their children to firstclubgolf this year.

For more information about clubgolf and the presentation at Turnhouse Golf Club, please contact:

Laura Rushby
clubgolf Regional Manager, East of Scotland
lrushby@clubgolfscotland.co.uk T: 07956 540595

Marion Turner reports on a dramatic conclusion to the Home Nations Junior Finals at La Manga:

DOUBLE DISQUALIFICATION COSTS CRAIGIELAW
THE HOME NATIONS TITLE AT LA MANGA

Last-day results were:
Wales beat England 4-2
Scotland (represented by Craigielaw) beat Ireland 5-1 – BUT had two players disqualfied through signing for wrong scores.
So, amended result was: Scotland 3, Ireland 3, which meant that Ireland took the trophy.

In the last match, which saw the Craigielaw player disqualified, the scoreboard, his scorecard and his partner's card all showed him with a 4 at one particular hole. But, 15 minutes after the scores had been checked and signed for, a spectator came in and claimed that the Craigielaw player had in fact had a 5 at that hole, not a 4. This led to the costly disqualification.

Scotland's Jane Turner (Mortonhall & Craigielaw) won the first scratch prize. Her three scores over the South Course at La Manga were +2, -1 and -3.
Jane also won first handicap but as she could not win both prizes this went to Grant Forrest, also of Craigielaw.

Four Nations Junior Team Finals at La Manga

CRAIGELAW JUNIORS BEAT

WALES, DRAW WITH ENGLAND

Latest news from Marion Turner about the Four Nations Junior Team Finals at La Manga:

Craigielaw team, accompanied by junior convener Gordon Smith:

Jane Turner (Mortonhall) scr, Age 18 (pictured right).

Myles Cunningham (Longniddry) scr, Age 18.

Shaun Deegan, capt., handicap 3. Age 18.

Greg Smail, handicap 6. Age 15.

Grant Forrest, handicap 6. Age 14.

Scott Speakman, handicap 8. Age 14.

Gabrielle MacDonald (Prestonfield), handicap 15. Age 14.

+Where player's club is not listed, Craigielaw is the home club.

Results so far:

Tuesday

Ireland 5, England 1.

Scotland 5, Wales 1.

Today

Scotland 3, England 3.

Ireland 4, Wales 2.

CRAIGIELAW BEAT WALES 5-1 AT LA MANGA

Many thanks to Marion Turner for supplying Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk with news from the Four Nations Junior Cup tournament in which Craigielaw are playing at La Manga, Spain, which, if you did not know, is not all that far away from Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.
Midlothian girls Jane Turner and Gabrielle MacDonald helped Craigelaw, representing Scotland, beat the Welsh team 5-1.
Craigielaw play England's representatives today.

JUNIOR
ORANGE
BOWL
CHAMPIONS


JUNG-EUN
HAN (South Korea)

SEAN

EINHAUS

(Germany)

Images by Will Torado

FLORENTYNA PARKER CAME SIXTH IN
DORAL-PUBLIX JUNIOR CLASSIC

The week before the Junior Orange Bowl boys' and girls' events - scroll down for the final totals - Florentyna Parker finished sixth in the Doral-Publix Junior Classic girls' tournament, elsewhere in Florida.
Stephanie Meadow from Northern Ireland, the Irish Under-18 girls' champion a couple of years ago, finished 20th.
Stephanie unfortunately injured her back in practice before the first round of the Junior Orange Bowl at Coral Gables and could not make it to the first tee for the start of the tournament.

2007 DORAL-PUBLIX JUNIOR CLASSIC
Leading final totals
GIRLS
Par 216 (3 x 72)
213 Alexis Thompson (US) 71 73 69.
216 Kristina Wong (US) 76 71 69.
219 Giulia Molinaro (Italy) 76 74 69.
222 Maria Villaneuva (Argentia) 73 73 76.
224 Madison Pressel (US) 73 76 75.
225 Florentyna Parker (England) 78 74 73, Luz Alejandra Cangrego (Colombie) 75 79 71.
Other total:
237 Stephanie Meadow (Northern Ireland) 78 79 80 (20th).
BOYS
Par 216 (3 x 72)
208 Are Friestad (Norway) 67 71 70.
214 Maurico Azcue (Mexico) 74 73 678, Mathew Rivard (Canada) 73 69 72.
217 Dylan Frittelli (South Africa) 70 73 74.
20

Junior Orange Bowl events end in Florida

FLORENTYNA FINISHES JOINT THIRD

AFTER BOGEY AT FINAL HOLE

Florentyna Parker finished a creditable joint third - only two shots behind the winner - in her sixth and last bid to win the prestigious and international 44th Junior Orange Bowl girls' championship over the Biltmore course at Coral Gables, Florida today.

The title went to the strong finishing South Korean 14-year-old Jung-Eun Han who overtook the four players ahead of her at the start of the final round with a two-under-par 68 for a three-over final tally of 283.

Italy's Giulia Molinaro, winner of The Duke of York Young Champions' Trophy girls' title over the Dundonald Links earlier this year, finished second, one shot behind Han.

Royal Birkdale member Florentya, daughter of a Germany-based club professional and a member of the Ladies Golf Union elite winter training squad, finished with a 71 for 285.

She bogeyed the ninth and birdied the 18th and was heading for a joint second-place finish until she bogeyed the last hole.

Over the 72 holes, Florentyna, the British Under-18 girls stroke-play champion, had seven birdies in all. Her earlier rounds were 72, 70 and 72. Also on the five-over 285 mark were American Lindy Duncan and the overnight leader, 13-year-old Argentinian girl Victoria Tanco.

Miss Parker's older brother Ben won the Junior Orange Bowl boys' title in 2005.

Florida-based German teenager Sean Einhaus led by eight strokes at the halfway stage after opening rounds of 65 and 64 but he failed to get close to the boys' par of 70 over the last two rounds.

In the end Einhaus had to go into a play-off with American Peter Uihlen, last year's runner-up. They tied on six-under-par 274, Einhaus finished with a 73 and Uilhen with a 68 after starting with a sensational eagle 3 at the 501yd opening hole.

Einhaus had only to par the first hole of the play-off to take the title.

Portugal's Pedro Figueiredo finished third on 276.

Darren Renwick (Worthing), winner of the Scottish Under-16 boys' open stroke-play title two years ago, finished joint 37th on 294 after a final round of 73. Renwick had a 9 at a par-4 hole in his first round and had no birdies on the third day.

The only other English boy in the field, Andrew Johnston (North Middlesex) had a closing 76 fo0r 295 and joint 40th position. Andrew had one triple bogey and three double bogeys over the four rounds.

DAVID MACKINTOSH REPORTS FROM CORAL GABLES:

Germany’s Sean Einhaus, front-runner for the entire event, is the 44th Junior Orange Bowl International champion, claimed in a thrilling one-hole sudden death finish with Peter Uihlein, last year’s runner-up.

Both players completed regulation play in 274, six-under par for the four rounds, two strokes ahead of Portugal’s Pedro Figueiredo.
The girls' champion is 14-year old Jung-Eun Han from Jeju, Korea, who started her final round two strokes off the lead and, from the penultimate group, pounced on the leaders with a sterling two-under par 68 for a 283 (three over par) total in tough and breezy conditions.
Overnight leader 13-year old Victoria Tanco from Argentina finished with a 2-over par 72 for a three-way share of third place.

Italy’s Giulia Molinaro finished second with valiant even-par 70, holing her last short par putt and fist-pumping her joy, aware of having outlasted her final-group partners only to learn her effort was good for only second place.
Britain’s Under-18 girls' stroke-play champion Florentyna Parker hoped for a family double by duplicating her brother Ben’s victory here two years ago but critical putts failed drop over the closing stretch.

She completed her record sixth and final appearance tied third.

South Florida phenomenon 12-year old Alexis Thompson, last week’s Doral Publix winner, closed with a gutsy even-par 70 for solo-sixth spot.
The boys' championship became one of the mostly closely-contested final rounds in recent years after Einhaus, who led by eight at halfway and four at the start of the last round, gave back the entire advantage on the front nine.

Uihlien jumped into contention with an eagle at the opening par-5 and these two stayed locked over the closing holes while challenges from Portugal’s Pedro Figueiredo and Christiano Terragni were answered with a stream of closing pars from birdie opportunities.
The cut and thrust thus took these two exceptionally-talented teenagers back to the final hole one more time. Uihlein made a wonderful saving flop-shot to three feet from behind the green but he missed the putt and Einhaus tapped in a par putt of 18 inches. The Junior Orange Bowl International had a new boys' champion.

For complete scores please go to http://www.jrorangebowl.com/

JUNIOR ORANGE BOWL FINAL TOTALS

Biltmore Course, Coral Gables, Florida

BOYS
Par 280 (4 x 70). 6,699yd.
274 Sean Einhaus (Ger) 65 64 72 73, Peter Uihlen (US) 71 66 69 68 (Einhaus won sudden-death play-off at first extra hole).
276 Pedro Fi