Spey Valley master class for Highland children

29 July 2009

Highland children taking part in clubgolf programmes have been given a unique opportunity to watch European Challenge Tour players and develop their own golf skills at Macdonald’s Spey Valley Golf Course during this month’s Scottish Hydro Challenge Tour Event.

On Thursday (30 July) 60 juniors from 10 Highland golf clubs will take part in coaching clinics with resident PGA Professional, Murray Urquhart and enjoy a putting lesson and competition with his assistant Joe Francis. For the rest of the day they will watch Tour Pros in action.

“We are delighted to be hosting this event, the aim of which is to keep the children enthused and involved in golf,” said Murray Urquhart.

“From a clubgolf point of view it’s great to get the kids along to experience a golf course during a big European Tour event.

“They will draw inspiration from watching some of the best young players in Europe. In the coaching clinic they will learn different skills and shots that they will develop as they get older, such as how to fade, draw, short game chip and run.”

clubgolf is a partnership between the Scottish Golf Union (SGU), the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association (SLGA), the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA), the Golf Foundation and sportscotland.

This year 38,784 P5 pupils (2,335 of them in Highland) have been introduced to the game through clubgolf’s introductory game, firstclubgolf.

More than 250 clubs and facilities across the country are now delivering clubgolf programmes. Working within them to deliver coaching to around 10,000 children this summer are over 1500 qualified volunteer coaches.

“This is exactly the type of opportunity that clubgolf is looking to develop,” said Willie MacKay, clubgolf’s Highland & Islands Regional Manager.

“In 2008, 1513 juniors were involved in clubgolf coaching programmes at 45 golf clubs across Highland & Islands and it is these children from last year’s programmes that we have invited.

“For these up and coming young golfers to see how professional players tackle a Championship course and deal with the elements, such as cross winds, and playing out of hazards is a valuable experience

“Some of the children we have invited will be playing the Spey Valley course in the Highland Junior Championships in October. So this is a great opportunity for them to see the course and how it’s being played.”

clubgolf’s invitation has been greeted with enormous enthusiasm across Highland.

Said Nairn Golf Club’s Junior Girl Convenor, Jenny Abbot:
“We have 90 juniors at Nairn and they’re so keen to go to this event at Spey Valley that we could have filled all places ourselves without any trouble.
“This will motivate them to see what they can achieve in later life. They can see that if they work at the game and put in the hours they too can achieve what the players on the tour can achieve. And they will be getting coaching as well which is a real bonus.
“We have been doing clubgolf at Nairn for six years. All kids we’re taking have come through our clubgolf programme and have handicaps; the girls between 25 and 19, boys between 16 and 14.”

Said Newtonmore Golf Club’s Junior Convenor, Mark Foster:
“This will be a great opportunity to keep the children involved and interested.

“The course is impressive and the kids will get the excitement of seeing the Pros hit the ball. They’ll have a great day out as well as having a professional teaching them.
“We have 33 kids in total on our clubgolf programme. The committee is very encouraging of junior members because they see them as the future and we get lots of good comments about the juniors from members.

Said Loch Ness Golf Club Junior Convenor, Richard Treasurer:
“We haven’t made the final selection but we had a lot more than six children applying.
“The children are all looking forward to getting the chance to see tournament players, the Spey Valley golf course, as well as getting coaching from Murray.
“We regularly get 140 children turning up a week now for our clubgolf coaching at all stages from complete beginners to lower handicap golfers.
“We are aiming this at the 10-14 year olds. Most of them will have handicaps, but are in the early stages, so seeing what a possible end product is will keep them involved and inspire them to keep going.”