ClubGolf camps set for a return

Junior golf programme rolls out week-long summer events for youngsters

Taking aim: Scottish rugby hero Greig Laidlaw (left) and tour star Alastair Forsyth help schoolchildren in Edinburgh launch the 2013 ClubGolf Camps

All golf clubs and facilities signed up to Scotland’s national junior golf programme, ClubGolf, are being invited to host a fantastic week-long summer event for youngsters in their local area.

ClubGolf Camps are being rolled-out for the second year in 2013, and all ClubGolf clubs can apply to take up on one of the limited spaces available from March 11.

Only 35 spots remain for interested clubs to become one of 75 ClubGolf Camp delivery centres. As a reward for the 53 clubs which accepted young campers in 2012, an ‘early bird’ sign-up was offered, which proved to be very successful.

Now, those remaining spaces will be filled by those ClubGolf clubs not previously involved.

ClubGolf manager Jackie Davidson explained exactly what the camps intend to achieve and advised clubs to act promptly to secure their participation.

She said: “ClubGolf Camps will return again for 2013, with even more clubs set to benefit from the publicity and excitement generated around junior golf. We will also support the drive to grow junior membership in clubs, through our £20 off membership offer.

“Following further support from the Scottish Government, we can now offer 75 spots to interested ClubGolf Clubs to host what is set to be a jam-packed week.

“With the majority of the clubs that took part in 2012 having already confirmed their participation this year, spaces are limited for new clubs. Therefore, we would urge those interested to move quickly to register and avoid any disappointment.”

ClubGolf Camps will take place from July 1-5, one week before ‘ClubGolf @ the Castle’, a mass participation ‘VIP’ event for youngsters, which will take place during the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.

Top Scottish golfers Colin Montgomerie and Martin Laird were in attendance alongside First Minister Alex Salmond for this fun occasion last year, which was attended by more than 400 ClubGolfers.

Later dates for ClubGolf Camps have been arranged for those areas where schools do not break up for the summer holidays until later in the month.

During the five-day programme of activities, children will be introduced to the basic principles of the golf swing, as well as learn about the importance of fitness, exercise and working in a group.

As well as traditional means of golf coaching, tuition during the camps will be delivered in the form of fun group games, competitions and challenges, which may not always necessarily involve putting club to ball. The week will culminate in an Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open-themed ‘Fun Friday’.

The camps, which will be hosted in every Scottish region, will be conducted by the club professional or assistant professional (or a teaching pro drafted in from the local area when a club does not have a resident professional) along with qualified ClubGolf volunteer coaches.

PGA Professional Gregor Abel, from Alloa Golf Club, which gained several members after a sell-out camp in 2012, was so delighted by the programme of events that he was one of the first professionals to take up on the Early Bird offer on behalf of the club this year.

He indicated that there was a lot budding golfers could learn from the programme of activities provided, while the club itself also stood to benefit.

“It was a good week for the kids and I think they got a lot out of it,” said Abel. “We had a full house of 16 children at the club for the camp and we felt that it went well. In fact, we’ve already had a few enquiries about whether we’re doing it again, and we’re delighted to say we are.

“After the camps, and through our year-long efforts to get new juniors in, some of the kids that were involved are now members of the club, so that has been a positive result.

“All of the resources that we acquired for the week were used and we have still got them in preparation for this year’s camp. We also received a manual for running the camp, which had a lot of games and various tests to put the kids through.

“I think they really benefitted from coaching over consecutive days. It allowed us to concentrate on new skills every day and they each got the chance to look at all of the various aspects of the game.”

With additional events scheduled during the Scottish Hydro Challenge at Spey Valley (June 20-23), The Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles (August 22-25) and The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Archerfield Links (Aug 30-Sept 1), Davidson is hopeful that more than 1,500 children will be exposed to golf this summer.

She added: “Children taking part in ClubGolf Camps will experience quality coaching in a fun environment, which we hope will ignite their passion for the game.

“This will encourage them to return to their local golf clubs in the months to come and, perhaps, even go on to become junior members.

“The camps are a fantastic way of having young people engage with their local golf facility and start to build up a relationship with the club professional, coaches and staff within the clubhouse.

“It is these relationships, and making golf clubs a more junior-friendly place to be, that will help us to enhance the number of children playing golf in Scotland today, and safeguard the future of the game and the future of our clubs.”

First Minister Alex Salmond, a keen ClubGolf supporter, has given his backing to the busy calendar of summer events ahead, particularly ClubGolf Camps.

He said: “ClubGolf Camps will provide a great opportunity for children to get a first taste of golf and learn the skills that will hopefully get them hooked on the game.

“The clubs that took part in the week-long event last year have experienced many benefits in the months since, including increased membership, and I would encourage as many new clubs as possible to fill the available spots this time around.

“It promises to be a fun-filled week for all involved and is yet another reminder of all of the good work ClubGolf is doing at grassroots level to grow the game and get more young people playing golf.”

To find out more about ClubGolf Camps, log-on to www.clubgolfscotland.com/events/host-clubgolf-camps.

All clubs interested in signing up to become a ClubGolf Camp delivery centre in 2013 should log-on to www.clubgolfscotland.com/hostcamp, email [email protected] or call 01334 466494.

• SEE ISSUE 122 OF BUNKERED FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE 2013 CLUBGOLF CAMPS

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor