The Scottish Golf Union and the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association are to receive an investment of £911,000 from sportscotland, made up of £363,500 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund and £547,500 from sportscotland Exchequer funding from the Scottish Government.
This is one of the largest awards to be given to a sport in Scotland and includes £500,000 for ‘clubgolf’, the national junior golf programme. clubgolf has been developed through a partnership between the Scottish Golf Union, the Scottish Ladies‘ Golfing Association, the Professional Golfers‘ Association, the Golf Foundation and sportscotland.
The programme is the result of the Scottish Government’s commitment to create the opportunity for every nine-year-old in Scotland to experience golf, on the back of the successful bid to host the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
Originally co-ordinated by sportscotland, clubgolf has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2003 and last year its management was appropriately transferred to golf’s governing bodies.
In 2007 clubgolf achieved some significant milestones:
• Within schools, 26,000 P5 children introduced to golf through firstclubgolf, bringing the number of children who have experienced the programme to over 50,000.
• 5,852 children in structured coaching programmes at golf clubs and facilities comprised of: 4,895 children involved in Stage 1 programmes; 527 children in Stage 2 programmes; 430 children coached by PGA Pros on Stage 3 programmes.
• 945 clubgolf volunteer coaches active in clubs.
• 182 golf clubs and facilities delivering clubgolf.
• 21 PGA Pros delivered Stage 3 programmes.
Acknowledging the investment, Hamish Grey, chief executive officer of the SGU said, “The SGU is delighted to accept this annual award which significantly contributes to our development programmes and is recognition of the many successes Scottish golfers have enjoyed in recent years.
“As a result of this funding we are able to provide world class coaching structures to Scottish golfers – which is increasingly important as Scotland’s hosting of the Ryder Cup draws ever closer.
“As one of the key partners in clubgolf, we can provide continued and joined up programmes through our ‘Pathways’ coaching and development strategy – ensuring every golfer can progress to whatever level they aspire to.”
Margaret MacNaughtan, Chairman of the SLGA added, “The SLGA very much appreciates the support it receives from sportscotland. It has enabled us to have Kevin Craggs as our full time national coach and already Scottish ladies‘ teams have benefited from his experience. We look forward to a successful 2008.”
Clubgolf www.clubgolfscotland-youth.co.uk
Scottish Golf Union www.scottishgolfunion.org
Scottish Ladies Golfing Association www.slga.co.uk