Golfing boom among youngsters in Orkney

The numbers of juniors taking up the golf across Orkney is at an all time high as a result of the national junior programme ClubGolf.

In 2011, sportscotland’s Active School network worked with the islands’ PE and teaching staff to introduce 180 primary five pupils to golf in a schools programme.

ClubGolf has been so popular that the Royal Bank of Scotland, backed by 18-times Major champion Jack Nicklaus, agreed a three year partnership to support the development of golf in the community.

In 2012 a new year primary five year group will be initiated to golf for the first time through ClubGolf, joining some 220,000 children nationwide that have been introduced since 2003.

This new surge in school numbers will have a direct and long term impact on the health of local clubs.

This year on Orkney over 140 juniors participated in ClubGolf coaching at golf clubs, contributing to a national statistic of 12,675 children in ClubGolf coaching programmes at 311 clubs.

To meet the growing demand in 2012 at least ten new coaches will be needed in Orkney to maintain safe coach to junior ratios and ensure quality coaching is delivered.

Local clubs also need more helpers to assist with their juniors learning the game of golf, to assist coaches delivering skill sessions and supervise juniors as they play on the course. Non-golfing parents are ideal for this role.

The next PGA Level one course in Orkney takes place on Saturday, February 25 and 26, 2012.

The PGA has a closing date for applications six weeks in advance of the course. Those interested should contact their golf club in good time.

Information about the ClubGolf junior golf programme can be accessed from www.clubgolfscotland.com.