FINGERS CROSSED !!

Clubs shortlisted for clubgolf Junior Club of the Year Awards

05/07/10

 
Ranfurly Golf Club, winner of the 2008 clubgolf Junior Club of the Year Award

Seven Scottish golf clubs have been shortlisted for the annual clubgolf Junior Club of the Year Awards. 

Organised by Scotland’s national junior programme clubgolf and the Scottish Golf Union, the Awards, won in 2009 and 2008 respectively by Ranfurly Castle and Alford Golf Clubs, recognise clubs that have demonstrated excellence in promoting junior golf during 2009. 

Following a thorough evaluation by clubgolf’s judging panel the final seven clubs have been narrowed down to Eyemouth (Berwickshire), Gullane GC (East Lothian), McDonald GC (Ellon, Aberdeenshire), Orkney GC, Palacerigg GC (North Lanarkshire), Powfoot GC (Dumfries & Galloway) and The Royal Montrose GC (Angus).

All seven clubs have demonstrated enormous commitment to developing their junior sections.  All have adopted clubgolf programmes. 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 winning club will be announced at The Old Course, St Andrews on Wednesday 14th July, the final practice day for The Open Championship. All finalists will be invited to send two adults, and children, to The Open on this day.

The SGU will award the winning club £1,000, to be invested in its junior programme.  It will also be invited to put forward a team of three adult members to play in a European Tour pro-am, playing alongside a leading professional golfer.  The six runners up clubs will each receive £300 from the SGU to help develop their junior programmes.  

    

In 2010 clubgolf aims to have 12,000 children active in clubgolf coaching programmes at 300 golf clubs and facilities across Scotland.  With clubgolf’s target of introducing 41,000 children to the game at school this year through ‘firstclubgolf’, the timing is perfect for clubs to capitalize on the interest being generated at grass roots.

Said clubgolf Project Manager, Torquil McInroy:  “The clubgolf Junior Club of the Year Award is great opportunity for golf clubs all over Scotland to gain recognition for their efforts in growing the game.

“I am delighted with the response and am greatly impressed by the efforts of golf clubs across the country in developing and promoting junior golf.  This year’s nominations include some great examples of how clubs are strengthening their junior sections through coaching programmes, and reaping the benefits of having more active junior members.

“I’d like to thank all the clubs that have taken part, congratulate the seven that have made the shortlist and look forward to presenting the winning club at The Open later this month.”