Girls take to the fairways

Feb 11 2009 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Wednesday

PLAYING standards of teenagers in the Stirling and Clackmannanshire County Girls golf squad (SCCG) are improving this winter with the help of a new plan to offer them weekly coaching from a professional.

Stirling and Clackmannanshire is one of four county girls associations in Scotland to have been awarded a £1200 discretionary development grant by clubgolf partner, the Golf Foundation.

Clubgolf is the partnership between the Scottish Golf Union, the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association, the Professional Golfers' Association, the Golf Foundation and sportscotland, which emerged from Scotland’s successful bid to host the Ryder Cup.

As a direct result of clubgolf, 90 percent of the area’s P5 children, half of them girls, had an introduction to golf in school last year through clubgolf’s introductory game, firstclubgolf.

Creating opportunities to develop their skills are 29 local golf clubs and facilities offering clubgolf Stage 1 coaching, a 20-hour course, covering the fundamentals of putting, chipping, full swing, rules and etiquette, taught by the club's fully trained volunteer coaches.

The surge of girls’ interest in golf has led to more girls joining the SCCG.

“I’m seeing a difference now in the number of girls coming through which has all come from clubgolf at school and the clubs doing Stage 1, which is superb,” said secretary Elizabeth Goodwin.

“Last year on my winter coaching I had 14 girls coming regularly. This year we’ve got 30 names and as many as 26 girls coming along each week and they are all enjoying it.

“As most of them don’t see groups of girls at their golf clubs it’s great for them to come to coaching and see lots of other girls out there interested in golf. Golf is a great social game and a good thing for girls to get into so hopefully this will encourage them to keep going.”

STIRLING LADIES

TO start the social year off there will be a Stirling Golf Club Ladies social evening on Wednesday, February 25.

This will commence with a lighthearted look at the rules of golf. A time to remind some and inform others before the playing season starts.

Following this is a “no car" treasure hunt. No drivers or cars are required, just bring yourself and a friend to arrive at 7pm. The cost is £2 for the charity.