New Brucefields programme for
children with disabilities

clubgolf and Brucefields Family Golf Centre have extended their commitment to local children this spring by launching the first golf coaching programme of its kind in Scotland for children with disablilities.

The Centre has a long association with clubgolf, the partnership between the Scottish Golf Union, the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association, the Professional Golfers' Association, the Golf Foundation and sportscotland, developed as a result of the Scottish Government’s commitment to introduce every nine-year-old child in Scotland to the game.

In 2006 Brucefields was the venue for Forth Valley’s first pilot for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Last autumn it trialled a golf coaching programme for a small group of children. At the same time its Pro, Gregor Monks, expanded his remit to coach 50 children from Bannockburn's 6 primary schools three nights a week for three months.

The most recent development in the Centre’s evolution is an eight week clubgolf Stage 1 programme for children with disablilities, which attracted 27 for its first lesson last week.

“Our trial course last year for children with disabilities was very popular and we are delighted that 27 children have signed up for this year’s course,” said Brucefields’ General Manager, Kirsty Burge. “It’s a fantastic response.”

Brucefields' professional coaching staff are experienced in working with children who have additional support needs. The new Stage 1 programme is being delivered by Brucefields Pro, Graham Gormley, and covers the fundamentals of putting, chipping, full swing, rules and etiquette.

“We have split the children into three groups and we started last week,” he said. “They thoroughly enjoyed the first session last week.”

With clubgolf creating the opportunity for over 30,000 primary school children in Scotland to experience the game this year through the programme’s introductory game, clubgolf, supportive centres like Brucefields are essential to keep children interested and developing in the game.

“We work very closely with clubgolf,” said Kirsty Burge. “In addition to the coaching for children with disabilities we are increasing the number of children that come from local schools and we could potentially have 60 children this year on our clubgolf Stage 1 course.

“We are a family centre and we do a lot of work with children on the weekends. On top of the clubgolf coaching a lot of children come here on the weekend, with over 50 children coming for coaching on a Sunday.”