‘clubgolf’ Swings into action in Buckie

Monday 1 September 2003

Moray Council will join forces with Strathlene Buckie Golf Club in driving Scotland’s junior golf programme forward, with the opening of a new training facility at Buckie. Supported by an award of £64,983 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund’s Sports Facilities Programme, Strathlene Buckie is one of the growing number of clubs to have established a formal partnership with the “clubgolf” programme.

sportscotland in partnership with the Scottish Golf Union and the Scottish Ladies Golf Association launched Scotland’s national junior “clubgolf” programme in February 2003. The strategy will offer every child in the country with the opportunity to experience the game of golf and allow coaches to identify and nurture the potential of world class players. The “clubgolf” programme was introduced as part of the Scottish Executive’s successful bid to host the Ryder’s Cup in 2014. Key partners involved in the strategy are hopeful that it will leave a legacy for youngsters long after the event has been held.

The new training facility which includes a floodlit driving range and short course practice area will provide youngsters with a quality introduction to the sport and will also help to create clear pathways for them to develop their potential. Scotland’s golf clubs play a pivotal role in the delivery of the “clubgolf” strategy, with their involvement vital to the development of the sport at a local, regional and national level.

Joint partnerships between the club professionals and volunteer coaches have been formed to deliver onsite coaching to juniors who are eager to try out the sport. The professional coaching clinics will ultimately help to raise the standard of the game enabling Scotland to produce more world class athletes.

Supporting the development of facilities that are linked to the “clubgolf” programme is vital to securing positive outcomes for youth participation in sport and recreation. Moray Council and Strathlene Buckie Golf Club will encourage every youngster involved in the project to provide regular feedback on their ‘clubgolf’ experience. Ultimately, this will ensure that key partners adopt a proactive approach towards improving and enhancing the national strategy throughout Scotland.

Alex Stewart, Club Captain, Strathlene Buckie Golf Club said: “The new training facility has been developed to give youngsters the opportunity to practice their golfing skills and techniques. The facility will not only enable us to deliver the ‘clubgolf’ programme but it will also make the local community more aware of the benefits of an active lifestyle.”

Alastair Dempster, Chairman of sportscotland said: “We are delighted to support Scotland’s first training facility that will help to deliver the national “clubgolf” strategy to local communities in Scotland. With an award of £64,983 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund’s Sports Facilities Programme we are committed to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to try out the sport and the chance to pursue the game at a competitive or recreational level.

“ Golf is a unique sport, which can offer a lifetime of healthy active recreation for all ages and abilities. sportscotland recognises that the key to achieving increased participation is providing youngsters with an early introduction to a variety of activities.”

The opening ceremony will take place at the training facility at Strathlene Buckie Golf Club, Portessie, Buckie, on Thursday 4 September at 12.00 Midday.
Convenor Eddie Aldridge, Moray Council will conduct the official opening of the new training facility.
Jim Coull (oldest playing member) and John Drummond (junior member) will drive the first golf balls to also mark the opening of the facility.
Both Moray Council and Moray Badenocks and Strathspey Enterprise contributed £25,000 each to the project.
Willy MacKay, “clubgolf” Highland Regional Manager will coach students from local primary schools.

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‘clubgolf’ Swings into action in Buckie