South Ayrshire Council News

Councillor Toner, invited guests, some of the participants and some local young people.

Six 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 taken to Roodlea Driving Range in Coylton where they were given professional golf lessons and taught the rules and etiquette of golf.

Everything that was learned was put into practice during an 18 hole golf competition that was held at Dalmilling Golf Course. Ayrshire Housing kindly donated a trophy for each of the golfers which Councillor Margaret Toner, Depute Leader of the Council and Chair of the South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership. The overall winner of the competition was Daniel Swan.

After meeting the young golfers Councillor Toner said: “This pilot programme has given a group of young people an opportunity to learn how to play golf, and to embrace the discipline of the game. “It is very important that young people use their leisure time constructively and that they learn to respect sporting facilities that are enjoyed by both local people and visitors to South Ayrshire.

“I sincerely hope that all the participants 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.