Golf: Gullane in the frame for coveted clubgolf award

A LOTHIANS golf club has been shortlisted along with six other Scottish clubs in the annual clubgolf Junior Club of the Year Awards.

Gullane and Gullane Ladies are in the frame for the coveted award after demonstrating "excellent in promoting junior golf during 2009".

They're up against Berwickshire club Eyemouth, as well as McDonald in Aberdeenshire, Orkney, Palacerigg in North Lanarkshire, Powfoot in Dumfries & Galloway and Royal Montrose.

The winner will be announced next Wednesday at St Andrews on the eve of The Open and Gullane have certainly impressed in the evaluation by clubgolf's judging panel.

"Gullane is going from strength to strength with its junior development and they are highly innovative in their approach," said clubgolf's East of Scotland Regional Manager, Laura Rushby.

"In August 2009 they introduced a very informative junior golf blog, keeping all of the juniors and parents in touch with everything that is happening from news, to coaching and competitions, results both at Gullane and Gullane Ladies Golf Clubs' and throughout the golfing world.

"Gullane and Gullane Ladies Golf Clubs have been working together for the last five years, developing their clubgolf coaching programme and building a strong player pathway which links in with PGA Pro Alasdair Good and his team of assistants.

"They have an enthusiastic group of volunteer coaches and helpers who work together with the junior convenor Iain Mclean and clubgolf co-ordinator Andy Walker to bring as many golf opportunities to juniors at Gullane. Gullane has established strong links with its local primary school and offer fun flag and girls in golf competitions on the six-hole children's course.

"They have introduced under 14 junior matches with local neighbouring clubs and host the US Kids European Championships, which was brought about by Alasdair Good and benefits the community as well as the club."

Organised by clubgolf, Scotland's national junior programme, and the Scottish Golf Union, the Awards, won in 2009 and 2008 respectively by Ranfurly Castle and Alford Golf Clubs, recognise clubs that have demonstrated excellence in promoting junior golf during 2009.

The SGU will award the winning club the sum of 1,000 invested in its junior programme.

It will also be invited to put forward a team of three adult members to play in a European Tour pro-am, playing alongside a leading professional golfer.

The six runners up clubs will each receive 300 from the SGU to help develop their junior programmes.

"Congratulations to Gullane Golf Club and Gullane Ladies Golf Club for making the final. It's great to see them being rewarded for their hard work and devotion to junior development," added Rushby.

"In 2010 clubgolf aims to have 12,000 children active in clubgolf coaching programmes at 300 golf clubs and facilities across Scotland..