Four of golf’s leading organisations worked together to offer memorable golf experiences to children and families, thanks to the support of the R&A, during the week of The Open at Royal Troon in Scotland.
The PGA, The Golf Foundation, Scottish Golf and EDGA were all invited by The R&A to make ‘The R&A Swingzone’ in Troon’s Spectator Village their home for the week with one central objective: to offer fun golf and a great family experience. Golf fans of all ages – from three years to over 80 – were taking part in golf activities.
A total of 28 PGA Professionals were present to offer free lessons, in conjunction with PGA Play, to all-comers for the week, the committed team giving a remarkable number of 3,244 lessons at Troon. Of those, 890 were filled by junior participants who all relished the opportunity to get involved. The chance to work on full swing, chipping and putting meant there was a chance for everybody to improve their game, from beginners to well-established players.
‘Unit 39’ on The Open site map looked to be a small white square but spectators instead found a colourful and welcoming structure full of fun activities, and just a little chip away from the 15th fairway.
Tardis-like, the Swingzone opened to offer 12 bays for PGA coaching, a chipping zone, putting area, longest putt and the Golf Foundation’s Golfway area; all running from Sunday to Sunday and only finishing as Xander Schauffele and Justin Rose fought out the closing holes on the South Ayrshire coast.
Allan Martin, PGA Coach, Education & Development Manager emphasised the importance of the Swingzone in getting people into golf. He said: “We have had a lot of golfers this week who have never swung a golf club before. We have whetted their appetite and given encouragement to try it which ultimately is what we want to achieve, and hopefully we can continue the great work to keep them playing, enjoy it, and get better in the process.”
Allan also highlighted the unique atmosphere of The Swingzone, emphasizing its commitment to inclusivity and enjoyment for all golfers and their families: “The Swingzone is an inclusive, fun, safe environment to spend quality family time, to create memorable moments nurtured by highly qualified PGA Coaches who not only the continue to inspire the golfers of today, but of the future.”
Sarah Bennett, PGA Specialist Professional at Lexden Wood Golf Club, said: “The Swingzone facility has really developed rapidly into a major unique spectator experience synonymous with The Open. The camaraderie and team support from my colleagues and the wonderful PGA staff is second to none which is apparent from the moment we have been notified of our successful application. The first tee shot is now a tradition for many of the team with the mandatory smiling selfies at dawn.
“It’s refreshing to witness the utter delight of our newly visiting, returning golfers, clients and friends after their 15 minute lesson. One visitor has booked his lesson with me for six consecutive Open’s, and we take the same glove selfie which he packs diligently every year.”
Sarah added: “My involvement as one of the team members is the ideal opportunity to relay the benefits taking a lesson provides. This year we used the Top Tracer range which served as a superb visual for our clients providing an incredible amount of confidence which they can build upon with their local PGA Professional.”
A full list of 28 PGA Professionals that worked together to deliver over 3,200 golf lessons, included Sarah Bennett, Callum Beveridge, Ian Blair, Alan Bradshaw, Kevin Caplehorn, Carlo Ciullo, Scott Clelland, Jamie Cundy, Neil Curtis, Sophie Daws, Thomas Devine, Geraint Dixon, Tom Gibbs, Dean Gibson, Martin Goldie, Natalie Goodall, Denise Hastings, Jack Hayward, Nick Lowe, Tiffany MacKenzie, Josh Salmon, Connor Thomas, Harry Thomson, James Tuck and Duncan Williamson.