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South Kintyre
clubs put children in the swing
Three South Kintyre golf clubs will open
their doors to children from the local
community this week after signing up to clubgolf.
clubgolf is a key component of Scotland's
national strategy for junior golf, developed by the partnership
of the Scottish Golf Union, the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association,
the Professional Golfers' Association, the Golf Foundation
and sportscotland.
Funded by the Scottish Executive, clubgolf
will roll out nationwide in 2009, by which time every nine-year-old
in Scotland will have an opportunity to experience the introductory
game, firstclubgolf.
Last term, children in all nine South Kintyre
primary schools were introduced to golf through the strategy's
introductory game, firstclubgolf. Taught in schools by Active
Schools Co-ordinators over a six-week period, it uses multi-coloured
clubs, rubberised balls, velcro targets and carefully planned
progressive lesson cards to provide a safe and exciting introduction
to the game for nine year olds.
Children wishing to develop their golfing
interests will be able to do so by accessing clubgolf's Stage
1 coaching programmes delivered by seven qualified PGA Level
1 Volunteer coaches at Machrihanish, Dunaverty and Isle of
Gigha Golf Clubs.
Stage 1 is a structured coaching programme
covering the fundamentals of golf and introducing rules and
etiquette. After Stage 1 there
are a further four stages on the Long Term Player Pathway,
allowing children to develop their skills to the level they
aspire to.
“Through being introduced to golf
at school then having the chance to play at local clubs,
this is a great opportunity for kids to play golf,” said
Lindsay Owen, the Active Schools Co-ordinator responsible for
introducing the children to the firstclubgolf programme.
“The children loved their firstclubgolf
introduction in school and now they’re excited about
making the progression to the club. Forty-two children
signed up for a two day Easter programme at Machrihanish. Based
on that I’m expecting both of the lessons to be filled.
“We’re delighted with the
number of volunteers that have stepped forward to take the
coaching and any more would be very welcome.”
clubgolf’s Stage 1 eight week
coaching sessions begin at Machrihanish Golf Club on Tuesday
8 May and at Dunaverty GC on Friday 11 May. Coaching at Isle
of Gigha Golf Club begins this week (1st May) and is offered
to all the kids from the island’s primary school.
Any golfers interested in finding out more
about becoming clubgolf coaches can contact Lindsay Owen on
email: lindsay.owen@ea.argyll-bute.sch.uk.
For further details on the clubgolf programme
in your area, contact the clubgolf Regional Manager for Argyll & Dunbartonshire,
Colin Bell on: cbell@clubgolfscotland.co.uk
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