Laird pledges money to childhood club

Scottish golf star helps develop junior programme at Hilton Park

Giving back: Laird pledges money so children at his old club can have the best start in golf

PGA Tour pro Martin Laird has shown he hasn’t forgotten his roots by donating £10,000 to Hilton Park Golf Club, where he honed his skills as a child.

The donation is intended to give children at the club the best possible start in the game, with a view to unearthing one or two tour stars of the future.

Laird is currently the highest-ranked Scottish player in the world and has had two wins on the PGA Tour and is currently based in Arizona.

His former home club is located ten miles from Glasgow and already boasts an impressive junior section, which primarily uses the club’s Allander Course.

Gordon Simpson, general manager of the club said: “We are absolutely delighted Martin wants to be part of the club in any way shape or form.” He added that the club was “over the moon with the donation”.

Simpson and Laird have been talking regularly about ways to develop the programme. However, plans for how the money will be spent are still very much in the early stages. There are already some developments, though, as a planning application has already been drawn up for a new ‘members only’ driving range which will be a major boost to the junior programme.

Another main aim is to reduce the number of children in each coaching group. At the moment, each coach is responsible for eight children but the ultimate goal is to reduce the number to six, which will give the children a more positive learning experience.

Simpson also said that the end goal of the programme is to “give juniors the opportunity to be the best they can be and if we find another Martin, we would be delighted.”

When asked if Martin’s name will be included anywhere in the programme, Simpson added: “He is not looking for any inclusion, but he is always happy to have his name associated if it helps.”

As well as the donation to the club, Laird has also provided teaching material for the juniors in the form of “hints and tips”.

The children will be taught a wide range of useful skills through the course of the programme; this ranges from improving their game and receiving excellent coaching, to being taught about etiquette on the course.

Plans for the donation are to be finalised in the summer, with development and implementation occurring as soon as possible.

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered