Increasing number of girls teeing off

PGA Professionals have been playing a key part in a ClubGolf initiative which has succeeded in attracting more girls to take up the sport.

First Minister Alex Salmond today announced that over 260,000 youngsters have been introduced to the game since the scheme’s inception in 2003.

Participation rates are continuing to rise with a recent audit showing a greater number of girls attending sessions with their PGA Professional.

ClubGolf is a PGA backed initiative which aims to help grow and promote the game led by the expertise and coaching skills of PGA coaches.

And the positive seeds being sewn by PGA pros at grass roots level is starting to reap benefits with the survey showing that golf courses delivering the programme have, on average, 77% more girls than those who don’t and that 61% of new girl members at Scottish courses are being introduced through the initiative.

Salmond revealed the figures as he practised with the youngsters taking part in the ClubGolf Big Chipping Challenge at the Scottish Open, where 78 teams of children entered the event at Castle Stuart in Inverness.

He said: “Scotland is not only the Home of Golf, it’s the lifeblood of this magnificent sport - and we need to introduce the players and champions of the future to the game at an early stage. ClubGolf has been doing exactly that.

“Today’s figures are extremely encouraging and exciting, showing more and more young people participating in the game. I congratulate all those at ClubGolf who have been involved in getting a club into the hands of our young people across the country, laying the foundations for a love of the sport and Scotland’s incredible courses.” 

The First Minister was joined by top Scottish golfers Martin Laird and Scott Jamieson, European Tour chief executive George O’Grady, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management Martin Gilbert, the sponsors of the Scottish Open, Ryder Cup Director Richard Hills, world renowned French pro Jean van de Velde and ClubGolf manager Jackie Davidson. 

Speaking at the Big Chipping Challenge, Davidson said: “Everyone at ClubGolf is delighted to have confirmed what we always knew to be true; that the ClubGolf programme has made a huge difference to the developing landscape of Scottish golf since its inception ten years ago.

“In particular, having more than half of all junior members now joining a club following ClubGolf coaching in schools or at their local delivery centre, shows the programme is going from strength to strength and we expect these numbers to increase as we continue our efforts to improve the opportunities for young people in Scotland to play golf.

“I’d personally like to thank all of the people who help to make our programme a success. Without all of their hard work, such progress would not have been possible.”