Orkney Golf Club runners up at Johnnie Walker Championship pro am

August 2010

Orkney Golf Club, winners of the recent clubgolf Junior Club of the Year Award, came close to winning the Johnnie Walker pro am at Gleneagles this week.

As part of its prize for winning the Award the club was invited to put forward a team of three adult members to playing alongside a leading professional.

The Orkney team - Graham Flett, Shona Croy and Alister Learmonth - teamed up with English professional Steve Webster and finished second.

“This was fantastic, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we are grateful to clubgolf for inviting us,” said Orkney clubgolf volunteer coach, Shona Croy.

“I have helped out at major events before but this was a step beyond that. It's not about prizes and hospitality, it’s about getting out on the golf course and playing in the same conditions as the pros.

“It was very relaxed and I didn't feel nervous pressure. I don't know why because I would have if it was a club competition at home.”

Organised by Scotland’s national junior programme clubgolf and sponsored by the Scottish Golf Union, the Awards recognise clubs that have demonstrated excellence in promoting junior golf during 2009.

When Orkney GC began offering clubgolf coaching in 2007, its junior coaching numbers jumped quickly from 22 to 74, outstripping its coaching facilities. The resourceful islanders secured funding (from three local businesses and sportscotland’s Sportsmatch scheme) and in 2009 opened new facilities which included an indoor golf centre, outdoor double bay practice net, four forward junior tees with artificial mats and a four hole short course.

To meet the demands of more juniors, in 2009 the club increased the numbers of qualified volunteer coaches to 14, four of whom were trained to Advanced Level 1 CPD to coach at Stage 2. Lacking a PGA Pro on the islands, the club secured funds to bring in a PGA Pro for a ‘Summer School’. As well as coaching the club’s juniors the Pro mentored the club’s volunteer coaches.