Spean Bridge clubgolfers and volunteer coaches undeterred by the rain at this Wednesday evening’s coaching session (image by Gordon Brown)

Spean Bridge juniors earn their first handicaps

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY CLUBGOLF
A year on from its new clubhouse opening, Spean Bridge Golf Club is celebrating its first batch of juniors ever to earn handicaps.
Supported by a £83,976 Lottery investment from sportscotland, the clubhouse was built to help grow the club’s membership and expand its junior coaching programme delivered through Scotland’s junior golf programme, clubgolf.
“Our aim has always been to encourage children to come along, start playing and use the course,” said Junior Convenor, Gordon Brown.
“Things have really taken off this summer with 30 children in our very full Wednesday evening coaching session. And over the last 10 weeks seven of them in the 11 to 14 age range have got a handicap
“The club has been going since the 1950 and this is the first time in our history that we have had a junior with a handicap, and a couple more are knocking on the door. Understandably, everyone at the club is delighted.”
The combination of the club's new facilities, opened last spring, the decision by four members to become qualified clubgolf volunteer coaches, together with supportive schools and an Active Schools Co-ordinator, all combine as a successful and sustainable formula.
“Although we have had juniors in the past, until now there has never really been a junior section,” said Gordon.
“When we started clubgolf coaching three years ago we put the word around the local schools, all of which run clubgolf's introductory game. The new clubhouse has been a great help and it's amazing how many people, especially the kids, say how terrific it is.
“What has made the difference this year is having quite a few helpers able to walk around and mark cards with the players that have been going for handicaps.”
With the sensible view that building a large junior section will safeguard the club’s future, Spean Bridge has removed a further barrier to participation by keeping its annual junior fee at £10.
“Our junior membership fee has always been low and we feel that offering membership for only £10 is a fair incentive”, said Gordon.
“This year, we have seen a lot of juniors become members, a lot more than in previous years. Everyone can see the benefits that these juniors are bringing, both now and in the long-term. When they become full members they will obviously pay the full amount so it’s up to us to keep them involved and enjoying the game.”
In a new development the club plans to start its first junior medal events this summer. George Carson, volunteer coach and project convener for the new clubhouse, moved to Orkney earlier this year but remains very much in spirit at the club. He not only leaves a legacy of the new clubhouse but has also bought the club a trophy for the juniors to contest.
Said Willie Mackay, clubgolf’s Highlands and Islands Regional Manager: “When I first visited Spean Bridge Golf Club in 2004 they had what can best be described as a shed and no toilet facilities for juniors or adults.
“Having persuaded the club that holding a 45 minute junior coaching session without toilets would be possible, obviously with parents’ consent, the president Neil Fraser said they would love to be able to develop junior golf but felt their club facilities were too poor to cope.
“As they have discovered, developing a clubgolf programme was a very positive step in their approach to sportscotland for funding.
“Whilst I work closely with Gordon (I know all the Level 1 volunteer coaches and have huge admiration for their clubgolf programme) they will all agree that while this was a real team effort, the drive and energy of George Carson deserves special recognition.
“It is typical of the generosity of George and his wife before they left for Orkney to donate a trophy for the juniors to compete for.”
Rob Eyton-Jones
clubgolf Media Manager
t: 07775 746981
e: rob@eyton-jones.co.uk
Official clubgolf website: www.clubgolfscotland.com