South Ayrshire Council News

Councillor Bill Grant and the young golfers along with others involved in the initiative.

Five young people have successfully completed an eight week golf coaching initiative, designed to encourage them to use their leisure time constructively and to learn the rules and regulations of golf.

Members of South Ayrshire Council's Antisocial Behaviour Team and Community Support Officers organised the pilot scheme. During the first six weeks of the programme the participants were taught the rules and etiquette of golf by Ian Robertson the Belleisle Golf Professional.

Everything that was learned was put into practice during an 18 hole golf competition that was held at Belleisle Golf Course. The competition was won by Conner McInally, aged 13, from Ayr.

Local Councillor Bill Grant presented each of the participants in the programme with a trophy and Conner McInally with a winners trophy.

After meeting the young golfers Councillor Grant said: "This group of young people very quickly learned the rules of golf and recognized the self discipline required to play it. The skills that they have picked up during the last few weeks while practicing and playing golf they will be able to use in other areas of their lives.

"I cannot emphasise enough how important it is that young people get a chance to experience constructive ways of using their leisure time. I sincerely hope that all the participants apply the self discipline that they have learned during the golf initiative to there lives, both now and in the future. I am sure that these young golfers will build on what they have learned over the last few weeks, and continue to play golf in the future."

Each of the young people who successfully completed the programme was given a six month municipal golf season ticket to encourage them to continue playing.