Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland has launched a pioneering new initiative aimed at helping to develop and nurture the next generation of Scottish golfing talent.
Developed in partnership with Carnoustie High School, the High Performance Golf Programme will give gifted young golfers dedicated time within the school week for coaching, training and performance development.
Selected pupils, who have demonstrated the talent, commitment and enthusiasm to sharpen their skills, will receive weekly small-group coaching from the Carnoustie Golf Links PGA coaching team.
Sessions will be delivered during designated school time, with the initiative going live on August 31.
Keir McNicoll, Head PGA Professional at Carnoustie Golf Links and a former pupil of Carnoustie High School, has led the development of the initiative. He said: “We are incredibly excited to launch this programme and to offer talented young golfers from our community the opportunity to develop their game within the school week.
“Carnoustie Golf Links has already built a fantastic foundation and connection to our local community through The Carnoustie Craws Junior Golf Programme, and this is a natural next step for players who have the potential and commitment to progress further.
“We’re proud to be able to offer that level of opportunity without any cost to families. This programme puts golf on a par with other sports such as football, where our best young players are supported and can pursue their potential without added financial pressure on parents.
“The young players participating in the programme have already been with us for years through The Carnoustie Craws, so we know them and their families well. We believe they all have bright futures in the game and will embrace the challenges that come with pursuing their potential.”
Supported by the R&A Foundation – the primary charitable arm of The R&A, which reinvests proceeds from The Open Championship – the programme will initially operate as a pilot and will be assessed after the first year completes. During that time Carnoustie Golf Links and Carnoustie High School will work closely to ensure pupils strike the right balance between academic commitments and sporting development.
Sally Brown, Head Teacher at Carnoustie High School, said: “We are delighted to be working with Carnoustie Golf Links to support this exciting programme and provide our pupils with an opportunity to develop their talents in a structured environment, right here in the local community.
“Our pupils’ academic progress will always remain a priority, but we also recognise the importance of supporting them in developing their wider talents. We look forward to seeing how the programme develops and, most importantly, seeing our pupils benefit from the opportunities it provides.”
As with all junior golf activities, Carnoustie Golf Links will cover all coaching costs associated with the programme and create a structured pathway for the next generation of players from the local community.
The programme forms part of Carnoustie Golf Links’ wider commitment to developing young people in the local community and creating a clear pathway from junior participation to high-performance golf. It has also received the backing of Scottish Golf, the national governing body for golf in Scotland.
Clare Queen, Head of Performance and Pathway at Scottish Golf, said: “Scottish Golf is delighted to support this initiative at Carnoustie High School and recognises the excellent work already being delivered by Keir and the team at Carnoustie Golf Links. The programme provides an excellent opportunity for talented young golfers to develop both their performance and the wider life skills that come through structured sporting participation. We hope it creates positive outcomes for the pupils involved and provides valuable learning that could potentially be applied in other areas of Scotland in the future.”