Four PGA pros launch new Borders junior initiative

Steve Johnson and Daniel Wood are two of the pros involved in the Border Golf Development programme

The first Borders Golf Development Day takes place at The Roxburghe on Saturday, when 30 juniors will get the chance to work with host club pro Craig Montgomerie, as well as Steve Johnston (Peebles), Keith Morgan (Hawick) and Daniel Wood (Hirsel).

“This initiative is simply four PGA pros trying to develop and help young golfers further their golf games via more opportunities, a passion we all share,” said Wood.

“It is not and never will be something that was set out to damage the Borders Golfers Association, like they seem to have taken it as.”

Borders Golf Development as been in planning for over year after Johnston and Wood sat down and tried to look at ways they could work together to help develop the talented golfers they already worked with.

Montgomerie and Morgan were quick to come on board to give a larger geographical area but also additional coaching knowledge and PGA backgrounds.

“Through gathering data from Scottish Golf, Clubgolf, numerous fellow PGA county coaches and our own inputs, we developed BGD’S first operation - a six-month winter programme for Borders golfers under 16 years old with an active official handicap,” added Wood.

“This programme now has 30 juniors signed up for the six months, with some excellent talent, including numerous single-figure golfers and 10 and 11 years who look to be showing huge potential.”

On Saturday, the 30-strong squad will be divided into four groups and will work with their assigned PGA professional once a month.

“On completion of the first programme, we plan to meet and analysis the whole operation and look at how we can add to it going forward to make BGD bigger and better and ensure we gave golfers the best chance to develop their game while in a fun and friendly environment,” said Wood.