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• Coach Alan Murdoch think schools golf is ‘progressing slowly’
• Heads to ISGA Home Internationals with Merchiston this weekend
• Hopes to see matches between state and independent schools

SCHOOLS GOLF | ALAN MURDOCH | MERCHISTON

Head of Merchiston Golf Academy Alan Murdoch thinks schools golf in Scotland is slowly developing, but believes more can be done to progress the game down into state schools.

On Sunday, the Edinburgh school – which is ranked No.1 for golf in Scotland – will compete in the two-day Independent Schools Golf Association Home Internationals in Wales, against Whitgift (England), Campbell College (Ireland) and Monmouth (Wales).

It’s the first time in Merchiston’s history that they’ve been at the Home Internationals and Murdoch, who helped to set up the academy in 2011, has given his verdict on the current state of schools golf in the country.

He said: “Schools golf in Scotland is progressing slowly but I still think there’s a lot of work to be done.

“It would be great to set up school leagues and matches, making it a more competitive environment” – Alan Murdoch

“ClubGolf introducing golf into schools can only be beneficial but going beyond that, I think lot of golf goes back to the club, whereas a lot can happen within schools.

“It would be great to set up school leagues and matches, making it a more competitive environment because at the moment, the only real competitions we play are part of the ISGA, where most are played down in England.”

With a lot of travelling involved as a result, Murdoch, who holds his coaching sessions at Kings Acre GC, where he is director of golf, went further on his desire for competitive golf by saying that he’d like to see more of a golfing presence from state schools.

“I still think schools should by tying in more with clubs”

He said: “I think it should . I see no reason why it can’t. I still think schools should by tying in more with clubs and I know that clubs are being more proactive nowadays.

“One of the successes of our school is that it’s tied in with Kings Acre GC, but I don’t see why state schools can’t get involved with certain golf clubs that are nearby.

“I’d love to see more matches between state and independent schools too, but I can only dictate what goes on at Merchiston and hopefully with our academy, we can become a role model for other schools to follow.”

You can follow the progress of Merchiston at the Home Internationals by visiting the ISGA website.

Schools golf in Scotland :: Your thoughts

What do you think of Murdoch’s thoughts on the current state of schools golf? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.

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