ClubGolf Camps sign-up launched

Eager young golfers between the ages of 9-13 are being invited to get involved in an exciting summer of golf by signing up for ClubGolf Camps from July 1-5.

Launched for the first time last year, ClubGolf Camps were welcomed by 53 clubs around the country, providing almost 800 youngsters, some of whom were being introduced to golf for the first time, with the opportunity to enjoy a week-long programme of activities.

This year’s event is set to be even bigger and better with 79 venues confirmed as host camps and the potential for around 1,200 junior golfers to sign-up. Alternative dates have been scheduled for Grampian and South West regions, where the school term does not finish until later in the month.

Launched by Edinburgh and Scotland rugby star Greig Laidlaw, alongside two-time European Tour event winner Alastair Forsyth, ClubGolf Camps will run between 10am-2pm each day at a cost of £40 for the week.

Laidlaw, who was a member of his local club, Jedburgh, as a child, said: “I think I was about 15 before I really started thinking about turning professional, so a lot older than the kids taking part in ClubGolf Camps. Rugby itself had just turned professional a couple of years before and I thought: ‘If I can stick in here, I can possibly become a professional rugby player.’

“If any of the kids taking part in ClubGolf Camps can decide to make a go of their golf, they could end up in a similar situation. You need a lot of dedication and hard work. No-one is born with natural ability to be world-class in any field, but that is a level they can get to if they go about things the right way.”

Having represented Scotland at boys, youths and senior levels, Forsyth knows better than most the commitment required from a young age among those looking to turn professional. He believes that ClubGolf Camps could inspire Scotland’s youngsters to devote themselves to the game.

He said: “One of the biggest mistakes I made growing up was not going for coaching. I got taught the basics from my dad from the age of eight and then just progressed on my own until I got involved with the SGU and national coach Bill Lockie, who brought my game on immensely.

“If I had had more time with someone like that as a kid, I think I would have improved a little earlier. That’s why I definitely would have been involved in ClubGolf Camps if we had them at my home club, Ralston, back then.”

ClubGolf Camps will kick-start the 2013 ClubGolf Festival, which will run throughout the month July to encourage more children to get into golf and includes a mass participation event at Castle Stuart Golf Links during the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

Over 500 children are expected to attend ClubGolf@theCastle, taking place on Wednesday July 10, one day before the flagship European Tour event commences over the Inverness-shire links.

ClubGolf Camps, however, will be the first port of call for juniors looking to get into golf this summer, with a week-long programme of tailored coaching activities designed to inspire their enthusiasm for the sport.

PGA-qualified professionals and coaches will deliver the sessions alongside volunteer coaches, both of whom are currently delivering the wider ClubGolf programme at clubs and facilities.

Daniel Wood, PGA Professional at The Hirsel, the first golf club to sign up for 2013, said he can’t wait until ClubGolf Camps get underway for another year.

“The publicity was great, it allowed a wider audience of golfers to see what we were doing with the juniors at The Hirsel Golf Club. The camp has also helped to boost the participation in our weekly junior coaching sessions and, thanks to our membership offer, we have seen our junior numbers increase for the 2013 season. “

To register your child for a place in ClubGolf Camps this year, or to find out where you nearest camp will be taking place, visit www.clubgolfscotland.com/camp2013.  Registration closes on June 9.