Turnhouse, in Edinburgh, is the epitome of a city club, which like many appeared to have a thriving junior section. Yet it was one of the first to embrace clubgolf and has since guided 49 new juniors through its coaching course.

This year, 10 of its 2004 intake will progress to Stage 3 of their coaching, in the capable hands of club pro, John Murray. A further 12 children will progress to Stage 2. Twenty-six new youngsters will begin Stage 1.

Turnhouse was the first club in Edinburgh to pilot clubgolf. “There is a shared frustration amongst many junior convenors that although we have healthy numbers of juniors and even junior waiting lists, not many of these juniors will play on a regular basis and attain handicaps,” said the Club’s junior convenor and clubgolf volunteer coach, Iain Holt (pictured above).

“We have been careful to keep the coaching courses to times when it is likely to cause least disruption to the members. It has helped generate a great willingness for clubgolf in the Club and our coaches are so enthusiastic that we have retained 11 who were trained at the very beginning.”

Mr Holt is particularly pleased that Tunhouse’s clubgolf programme has maintained a steady momentum, with few children dropping out. Next year he hopes as many as 84 children will be enjoying clubgolf coaching. The Club has also submitted a lottery application to fund a new short game practice area and putting green which should be completed in 2008.

“I believe there is an urgency to get more kids playing so when we heard about clubgolf they didn’t have to sell it to us,” added Mr Holt. “We thought it was a great idea, immediately saw its potential and the Club is completely behind what we are doing.”

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