Hat’s off to ClubGolf – and Maybole Golf Club! Young golfers show their appreciation.
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Junior golfers from Carrick got their season off to a swinging start at the newly refurbished clubhouse in Maybole attended by Depute Provost Mary Kilpatrick.
Working in partnership with South Ayrshire Council, the club has taken a lead role in the development of young golfing talent and the clubhouse refurbishment was a key part of developing improved facilities for young players.
In 2006, Maybole was the first club to sign up to South Ayrshire Council's ClubGolf Programme aimed at getting young people into the sport and developing those who show talent for the game.
During school time primary 5 children learn more about golf through FirstClubGolf a package designer for young beginners, which lasts six weeks and teaches basic golf skills to by specially trained teachers and classroom assistants.
After the six weeks, the children are encouraged to maintain their skills by taking part at training activities delivered through local golf clubs in their area and, for some, this will be the first time they get to use actual golf clubs.
Children from the Carrick schools cluster who had completed the initial programme were invited to Maybole Golf Club for an induction programme and, since then, they have gone from strength to strength.
The club attracts thirty new young golfers a year and up to 80 young golfers in Carrick now regularly attend the coaching sessions.
In addition, the club has eight coaches qualified at Level 1 of the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) coaching programme and a growing number of assistant coaches, all giving up their time to teach and train the youngsters.
Councillor Margaret Toner, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Tourism and Leisure said: "I would like to say a 'huge thank' you to the volunteers, committee, management, staff and coaches at Maybole Golf Club for the way they have developed these youngsters once they have completed FirstClubGolf.
"The same people have also pulled together the refurbishment of the clubhouse – it really is a remarkable transformation.
"Clearly, the club has the right approach to the development of young golfers shown by the ever increasing membership and the scores of young people who turn up regularly for training.
"Their enthusiasm, commitment and dedication to learning the game of golf in South Ayrshire, the home of Open Golf, is admirable."
Councillor Toner continued: "First Club Golf was adopted into the Council's Active Schools Programme in 2006, to give school-aged children the tools, motivation and opportunities to be more active throughout their school years and into adulthood.
"These opportunities are available before, during and after school, as well as in the wider community and there is no better evidence of this integrated, partnership approach working than here in Maybole."