Development centres at 50 clubs to drive young talent

Published on 17/10/2012 02:46

The Scottish Golf Union (SGU), Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association (SLGA) and ClubGolf combined yesterday to announce the creation of 50 Scottish Golf Development Centres over the next three years aimed at bringing out the best in the nation’s aspiring young players.

Launched at the Gleneagles Hotel – host venue of the 2014 Ryder Cup – the development centre programme will use 
existing clubs and facilities that meet specified criteria, and will 
provide access to additional high-quality coaching and advice for those youngsters progressing from the early stages of ClubGolf.

The development centres are being funded by reserves from ClubGolf Scotland (the national junior golf programme) and will be established in three phases, with 21 clubs and facilities to tee off the programme from next month.

Kevin Cademy-Taylor, Scottish golf performance development manager, explained: 
“The development centres are open to boys and girls, aged 
between 11 and 17, who have a club handicap.

“They will promote the improvement of a young golfer’s all-round game, focusing on the fundamentals and skills development, with a particular focus on short game and putting.

“The facilities we have selected will provide an environment which will allow them to work on all these aspects so it’s not just about hitting balls on a driving range. In addition, a series of educational workshops will be delivered that will allow both players and, importantly, their parents to gain a better understanding of performance development for golf”

Players within the new programme will be entitled to 30 hours of golf coaching with expert advice (approximately ten hours) on themes such as fitness, nutrition and psychology. Young players will continue to play the majority of their golf within their own club environment, alongside their own local coach.

Andrew Coltart, the former Ryder Cup player and member of the SGU’s performance committee, was also on hand at the launch to offer his backing.

“The Scottish Golf Development Centres will help more youngsters make the most of their talent,” Coltart said.

“The success of the European team at last month’s Ryder Cup will undoubtedly be a great 
inspiration to all the youngsters in ClubGolf and the new 
development centres and it’s a very exciting time to be involved in Scottish Golf.”

Phase 1 of Scottish Golf Development 
Centres: Braid Hills, Brucefields, Cruden Bay, Dumfries, Elie Sports Club, Gleneagles Golf Academy, Gullane Golf Club, Inverclyde, Kingsfield, Mearns Castle Golf Academy, Meldrum House, Nairn Dunbar, Paul Lawrie Golf Centre, Playsport Golf Centre East Kilbride, Portpatrick Dunskey, Roxburghe, Royal Dornoch, St Andrews Links Trust, Strathmore, Wellsgreen, World of Golf.