Learning respect the fairway

Published on Friday 24 November 2006 11:53

IT has always been a game in which sportsmanship has been prized alongside skill and dedication.

Now golf - and the plush surroundings of the Dalmahoy Golf and Country Club - are being used in an effort to inspire disaffected teenagers to take more interest in their school work.

It is hoped that rubbing shoulders with seasoned golfers will teach the teenagers about dedication, good manners and respect.

Children aged 13 to 15 years old are being taken for a day of coaching from a professional golfer at the Dalmahoy Golf and Country Club courtesy of Lothian and Borders Police.

The youngsters taking part have been put forward by their teachers because they have become "disengaged" from their school studies.

Pc Kevin Murphy, from the Corstorphine Youth Action Team, who set up the first coaching day, said there were lots of lessons the teenagers could learn on the course.

"Even simple things like being honest when marking your scorecard, keeping quiet during your opponents' shots, applauding good play and adhering to the dress code and rules of the course are important.

"They're values that these kids might not have had before, but they can learn to put them into practice either at school, at home or in their future careers."

He added: "The young people involved aren't troublemakers and this isn't an initiative that 'rewards' bad behaviour. Rather, they're kids who aren't responding to schooling and aren't realising their potential."

"It's a chance for them to learn that, although life isn't easy, you can achieve your goals by listening to advice and being disciplined enough to put in the hard work.

"And, of course, it's an opportunity for them to divert their interests and energies into a pastime they can enjoy for many years to come.

"Golf was just the ideal sport to promote this sort of message. Not only do you have to put in a lot of hard work and dedication to achieve your goals, but you also have to adhere to the rules of the game and learn the correct etiquette on the course."

The inaugural session at Dalmahoy was inspired by a similar initiative set up by police in East Lothian and more sessions are now being considered for the Capital.

The four pupils who took part in the first session had been picked by their teachers from Craigmount High School, St Augustine's RC High School and Queensferry High School.

During the event, they received coaching and advice from PGA golf professionals Scott Dickson, from Dalmahoy Golf Club, and Norman Huguet, from the Royal Musselburgh Golf Club. They also attended informal talks about the psychology of sport and how it can be applied to other aspects of their lives, such as education.

Neal Graham, director of golf at Marriott Dalmahoy Golf and County Club, said: "We are delighted to be involved with this initiative and to give the pupils a chance to play golf and learn the new skills associated with the game.

"Similar projects run at the Royal Musselburgh Golf Club have been overwhelmingly positive and led to some of the group actively taking up the game and we hope the same will happen today."

The initiative is the latest example of the exclusive golf club opening its facilities to youngsters.

In September, more than 100 children from the East of Scotland - including pupils from Uphall Primary School - received special golf coaching after watching professionals like Sam Torrance in action at the Charles Church Scottish Seniors Open.