Machrihanish Dunes offers more than just golf education

January 2012

Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club, which joined forces with ClubGolf to build a structured junior programme, is going the extra mile to educate local school children.
 
Not only is the club offering coaching to youngsters, it is making the most of its unusual position on a SSSI to teach children more about the environment.
 
“We have a unique situation here in being the first golf club in Scotland to be built on a SSSI,” said Keith Martin, Director of Golf at the club, owned and operated by Kintyre Development Company Limited, an affiliate of US based international golf and leisure developer Southworth Development LLC.
 
“And because our local schools are small and they like to get out and make the most of the local facilities, our head greenkeeper and I thought we have the ideal opportunity to teach the children more about the environment on the course.”
 
So far six local schools have taken up this opportunity.  Pupils from Tarbert High School, already involved in environmental studies on the curriculum, have visited the club to get hands on experience with environmental work.
 
And younger children from local primary schools have worked with Keith and Kevin to make nesting boxes and monitoring bird numbers.  All schools’ visits feature ClubGolf coaching through the qualified coaches, Keith and Kevin.
 
“It’s all fun stuff, such as a crazy putting challenge on one of our greens, to get them more interested in golf and involved in the environmental,” said Keith.  “The children enjoy and get a lot out of it.  Over 60 children have been here so far and one of the schools has been here three times.”
 
Built in 2009, and one of only two clubs in Scotland to be built on a SSSI, the club is making juniors a priority.  Golf on the course and driving range is free for under 18s and on the condition they are accompanied by an adult. 
 
This year it joined some 300 clubs across Scotland to offer structured junior coaching through ClubGolf, the national junior programme sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland, which is supporting the development of golf at a community level in Scotland for the next three years.
 
If you are a club member, PGA Pro or assistant pro and want to find out more about clubgolf, how it can benefit your club either contact your golf club’s junior convenor or ClubGolf coordinator or view the 2012 Coach Education Calendar at:  www.clubgolfscotland.com