Clackmannanshire Golf is Booming
Published on:
30
September 2014
Local schoolchildren and golf clubs have been getting into the Ryder Cup spirit with competitions, trips and forums inspiring everyone to take up golf.
Last Monday 21 P5-7 children took part in the Active Schools / ClubGolf Junior Ryder Cup competition held at Muckhart Golf Club. The children had been taking part in after-school golf coaching and the competition was the culmination with them playing in pairs representing either Team Europe or Team USA. After playing 6 holes the results were counted and it ended in a 2 1/2 / 2 1/2 draw. There was some great golf on show and even greater sportsmanship from the children.
ClubGolf Regional Manager, Mandy Martin, helped organise the event and presented the medals on the day. She said: "It is great to see the ClubGolf programme working so well in Clackmannanshire and seeing the children have the skills and confidence to play in a competitive, but friendly environment."
Last Tuesday, 240 schoolchildren and adults from 14 primary schools attended the final day of the Junior Ryder Cup competition held at Blairgowrie Golf Club. The Junior Ryder Cup is a team golf competition between Europe and the United States. Its inception was inspired by The Ryder Cup and is organised by the same governing bodies that oversee the men's event.
Schools were offered this amazing opportunity through funding provided by the European Ryder Cup committee and included free buses to and from the event, the opportunity to watch the European and USA teams play against each other and to also receive 1 hour of coaching provided by ClubGolf, Scotland's national junior golf programme.
The pupils enjoyed a warm reception from the club volunteers and from Clubgolf as they all took in a spirited comeback from Europe's future golf stars versus a determined and talented USA team. Eventually USA were victorious, but this did not dampen the spirits of the pupils as they saw some fantastic golf, and got to play and show off their golfing skills thanks to Clubgolf and their volunteers.
Councillor Ellen Forson, Education, Sport and Leisure Convener said: "The pupils loved this event as they marvelled at the skill, control, and precision of the shot making from Team Europe and Team USA. They even got to meet French golfer Jean van de Velde, English golfer Tommy Horton and BBC golf commentator Ken Brown. Most of all they loved playing the game thanks to Clubgolf. This is a real positive because golf is ever more readily accessible in Clackmannanshire with many golf clubs that are welcoming and supportive to new or young golfers."
The local golf clubs have formed the Clackmannanshire Golf Forum and have been meeting regularly to promote golf and Clackmannanshire clubs. The clubs are: Alloa GC, Alva GC, Braehead GC, Dollar GC, Muckhart GC, Tillicoultry GC and Tulliallan GC. The clubs are long established in Clackmannanshire and provide a excellent opportunity for local youngsters and adults as well as visitors to enjoy great golf and hospitality. The seven clubs each offer a very different golf experience with 9 hole courses and 18 hole courses.
Councillor Donald Balsillie Chair of Clackmannanshire Golf Forum said: "This was a great event and I hope that the youngsters who took part will consider joining their local golf club in Clackmannanshire. All of our local golf clubs are keen to welcome new, young members."
More information about Clackmannanshire Golf Forum and contact information for each club is on ClacksWeb.
