Scottish PGA pro tees up video sessions for members to support NHS staff

David Orr, the head pro at Whitecraigs on the south side of Glasgow, started the sessions to try and stay in touch with members and help them get a golf fix. Encouraged by the response, he’s now lined up a series of Q&A sessions over the next few weeks, with European Tour duo Richie Ramsay and Bob MacIntyre the first two to volunteer their services for that.

Members taking part in the sessions are donating to the NHS through a JustGiving page set up by Orr, who is delighted with its success so far. “The club have kindly kept me on as opposed to being furloughed and I am very appreciate of that support,” said the 2009 Scottish PGA champion.

“I’ve set up three sessions per week on Zoom for the members to join because staying engaged with them at the present time is a priority. Once we get back to normal, it is important that I have not been in the dark for three months or however long it takes.

“In the first session, I took them through things like how I’ve set things up at home for staying fit. I had 14 log on to that and last week I was up to 30, which was great. I then did a Q&A last Friday and there was some great engagement from the members through that. I’ve paid for Zoom Pro to make sure I can engage with as many people as possible and I’m now up to 75 people logging in.

“I have set up a JustGiving page and from one session earlier in the week we raised £400 for the NHS for the intensive care unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow. The lady captain’s daughter works in there and they are struggling for snacks etc in fridges and we are going to help in that respect.”

Sports psychologist Dr John Mathers and fitness instructor Gordon Hill have also been lined up for Q&As and Orr added: “I think the principle of it is very good and we want to keep people thinking about their golf at the moment.”