DUNFERMLINE BUILDING SOCIETY
BOOST FOR SCOTTISH JUNIOR GOLF

The Scottish Golf Union today announced a major new sponsorship agreement with Dunfermline Building Society which will see a £100,000 investment into junior golf in Scotland over the next two years.
The deal is the biggest private sector investment into grass roots golf in Scotland and one of the largest sponsorship deals in the organisation’s history, supporting the SGU’s commitment to growing and developing the game at entry level.
Dunfermline Building Society will become the official sponsor of the SGU’s Junior Masters – the largest participation golf championship for under-16s in Scotland. The Dunfermline Building Society Junior Masters will become the only nationally recognised junior event for players of all abilities, open to boys and girls alike.
The sponsorship agreement also sees Dunfermline Building Society becoming the official partner of a new initiative launched by the SGU – the Scottish Junior Club of the Year Awards, which will reward clubs for encouraging junior golf accessibility and participation in their community.
Speaking at today’s announcement at the Mearns Castle Golf Academy, Ross Duncan, Marketing & Sponsorship Manager for the SGU, welcomed the new partnership:
“We are naturally thrilled with the investment from Dunfermline Building Society, who are one of Scotland’s most respected brands. The sponsorship is another huge boost to the SGU on the back of a highly successful year in 2006.”
“The Dunfermline Building Society Junior Masters is a vitally important event for us, giving the opportunity for young boys and girls of all abilities to experience golf and showcase their talents. The handicap system gives golf a great advantage over other sports, giving youngsters who have just started out the chance to compete against a player at the top level.”
Dunfermline Building Society’s Chief Executive, Graeme Dalziel, added:
“Dunfermline Building Society is delighted to be going into partnership with the Scottish Golf Union, whose involvement with junior golf complements the objectives of the Dunfermline Building Society, namely enhancing local communities and encouraging participation at grass roots level.”
“Our commitment to young people is intentional - they represent Scotland’s future and our future - that of Dunfermline Building Society.”
The Dunfermline Building Society Junior Masters is open to all SGU affiliated golf clubs in Scotland with a junior section. Each club is invited to host a local qualifying event, with Regional Finals taking place at Kingussie, Stirling, Dunfermline, Paisley and Peebles in July, with the Grand Final being hosted by Gleneagles, home of the 2014 Ryder Cup, in October.
Dunfermline Building Society also plan to launch a savings account to help parents and youngsters save up for golf related activity, whilst also benefiting the clubgolf programme in Scotland.
“Whilst golf in Scotland for youngsters is more affordable than ever before, there are still some relatively significant outlays for parents whose children take up golf. Our Savers account will encourage good financial practise for youngsters, enabling them to save up for things like their annual membership, more lessons or a new driver,” said Phil Kennedy, Head of Marketing at Dunfermline Building Society.
Alastair Forsyth, pictured above, one of Scotland’s European Tour stars and Mearns Castle’s affiliated professional, was on hand to launch the partnership and was enthusiastic about the increased investment into Scottish junior golf.
“The sponsorship is fantastic news for young golfers in Scotland. There’s been a lot of great work done in recent years through the clubgolf programme and initiatives such as the Junior Masters and Junior Club of the Year awards will help open up even more doors to boys and girls starting out in the game,” said Alastair.
“Whilst I’ve been lucky enough to compete at the top level, it’s vital that everyone is given the opportunity to enjoy golf, from beginners upwards, and the incentive of playing a national final at Gleneagles will undoubtedly attract more players in the years ahead.” he added.
For more information on the Dunfermline Building Society Junior Masters and Junior Club of the Year Awards, visit http://www.scottishgolfunion.org/