Structured coaching makes the difference at Lochgilphead

August 2010

Lochgilphead Golf Club has a successful and growing junior programme. But that hasn’t always been the case.

“I took on the junior convenor role two years ago because at the time there was absolutely nothing happening for juniors here,” said Eleanor Hunter, who has been the project’s driving force.

“When people kept asking me what we did for the juniors it was becoming embarrassing to keep saying ‘nothing’”.

Things turned a corner in 2009 when the club first floated the idea of junior coaching, with Eleanor and fellow club members taking juniors onto the course each Tuesday night.

Drawing on formidable organisational skills from Eleanor’s previous employment as an NHS Manager has undoubtedly helped. So has the willingness of the club to support her plans. 2009 was a good start but by her own admission: “we didn’t really know what we were doing.”

So this year the club decided to invest fully in its juniors by offering coaching through Scotland’s junior golf programme, clubgolf. Supported by Argyll & Bute Council funding, six members became qualified Level 1 volunteer coaches and a further three act as helpers.

“We decided we needed to get ourselves organised and having a structure to work to this year has made so much difference,” said Eleanor.

“The club and committee are fully signed up to junior coaching and close the first and second holes on a Tuesday night so that we can coach the children there.

“It’s only our first year but we regularly have 24 juniors on the coaching. Being able to coach such large numbers is only possible because of the commitment of our other five volunteer coaches and three helpers.”

Lochgilphead offers a clubgolf Stage 1 programme in blocks either side of the summer holidays. The first culminated with a Senior/Junior 9 hole competition last month which was a huge success. The second instalment of coaching starts this month.

The club also received a Golf Foundation Discretionary Support for Clubs Grant which will pay for the costs of the pro, purchase junior starter equipment and help with the running of junior flag competitions. Additional funding - £250 from Argyll Community Housing Association’s community grant, £50 from Lodge Loch Fyne and £20 from Coille Haulage - has all been invested into the club’s junior programme.

“Through our Active Schools Co-ordinator we have arranged for professional coaching on the course this week during school holidays,” said Eleanor.

“Next year the children we have now will be doing year two of the clubgolf Stage 1 programme so we will be looking for new ones so we will link in with Active Schools to get some new children.”

Lochgilphead’s involvement completes the picture for clubgolf in Mid Argyll. It is one of two clubs in the area offering clubgolf coaching and covers a catchment of seven primary schools.

To find out more about junior coaching at Lochgilphead contact Eleanor on T: 01546 602381