Catriona Matthew teaches girls from Erskine Golf Club

Catriona’s just one of the girls!

Catriona Matthew, star of the De Vere Ladies Scottish Open today took a break from her busy playing schedule to become a junior golf coach for an hour. The only Scot in the European Solheim Cup team spent some time with a group of youngsters from clubgolf’s ‘Girls in Golf’ programme.

The Carrick’s Clare Queen also joined Catriona to help tutor the eager group of girls from Erskine Golf Club despite the wet weather! Both players are competing in the De Vere Ladies Scottish Open which takes place from Thursday 20th – Saturday 22nd September at The Carrick at Cameron House.

In between practice rounds, Catriona and Clare offered tips and advice to a group of aspiring young female golfers. The ‘Girls in Golf’ initiative has been designed by the national junior golf strategy, clubgolf with the aim of doubling the number of Scottish girls playing golf.

Commenting on the coaching clinic, Catriona said “The lack of girls playing golf is not a new problem. Even when I played as a girl there were very few girl members. It’s great to see that clubgolf is addressing the problem and more importantly, doing something happen about it. What clubgolf is trying to do, getting girls interested and even just giving them the chance to play has got to be a good thing.”

The re-introduction of the Ladies Scottish Open to the golfing calendar in Scotland has been met with high praise; indeed Paul Bush, Chief Operating Officer, EventScotland said 'It is important to note that the work being done by clubgolf and the De Vere Ladies Scottish Open are both pledges made directly as part of Scotland's preparations to host the 2014 Ryder Cup. This demonstrates the ongoing commitment in Scotland to women's golf and to the next generation of Scotland's golfers in particular.”.