Volunteers are pitching in

Published 9 Oct 2009 13:18

Rugby

Forty eight volunteer coaches, PGA Pros and active schools staff gathered at the spectacular Carrick championship course on Loch Lomond for the inaugural clubgolf Argyll and Dunbartonshire Volunteers event.

The event was organised by clubgolf as a thank you to the region's volunteer coaches and helpers involved in the clubgolf programme.

Clubgolf is a partnership between the Scottish Golf Union, the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association, the Professional Golfers' Association, the Golf Foundation and sportscotland, developed as a lasting legacy of Scotland's successful bid to host the 2014 Ryder Cup.

This year, 1840 children in Argyll and Dunbartonshire primary schools were introduced to golf through clubgolf's

introductory game, firstclubgolf. Twenty four golf clubs in Argyll and Dunbartonshire, and a growing band of qualified volunteer coaches and PGA Pros, are offering a programme of clubgolf coaching, where children can develop their skills.

Bringing together so many of the key people involved in this growth was both a reward as well as a great opportunity for volunteer coaches to meet and share ideas on junior coaching.

"It was fantastic to have such a good turnout of volunteers for the first ever Argyll and Dunbartonshire clubgolf Volunteers event and for such a great venue to support us by hosting it," said Colin Bell, clubgolf regional manager for Argyll and Dunbartonshire.

"The Carrick staff were all first class, making the day easy to run and a memorable experience for everyone involved.

"It is a small reward for all the hard work our volunteers do at their golf clubs to encourage and develop their juniors.

"An important aim of the day is to provide clubgolf volunteers the opportunity to meet fellow coaches from clubs across the regions, share ideas and experiences of junior coaching and create long-term contacts.

"From the feedback we have had so far, everyone involved in the day learned something new about junior coaching, which they can take back and use in their own programmes.

"Hopefully we can build on this and continue to run the event each year.

"Congratulations to all our winners and a special mention to all the pros and sponsors that donated prizes to help make the experience complete for the volunteers; in particular US Kids Golf, Masters Golf, Argyll and Bute Council, West Dunbartonshire Council and PGA Professionals John Mulgrew and Peter Kerr.

"And a big thank you to everyone who donated prizes: Argyll & Bute Council, PGA pro Peter Kerr, PGA tutor John Mulgrew, Masters Golf and UK Kids Golf."

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