Kings Golf Club launches its junior programme to get more kids into sport
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Kings Golf Club have given potential stars of the future the chance to learn the sport as it launched its junior section.
The Inverness club gave youngsters the opportunity to swing into action at its course on Sunday in a bid to promote the game to a younger audience.
Around 40 kids, aged between seven and 18 are involved in the club’s programme.
As well as encouraging more children and teenagers to get involved in the sport, it is also the aim of Kings to get more youngsters playing at a competitive level.
Club vice president and juniors convenor Andrew Stokes says there is a real appetite in Inverness for youngsters to learn the game.
“We started a programme a few years ago to include lessons as part of the membership pack and beginner sessions for non members,” he said.
“When we started we had less than 10 kids, but now we have 40.
“ It was what we were aiming to try and achieve in the initial phase.
“Our next aim is to get them playing golf with a handicap so they can play competitively.
“We have nine kids that can play competitive golf and we are looking to at least double that this year as part of the programme.”
The club have boosted their junior programme thanks to funding from the Highland Council to build a facility on the driving range to allow golfers to train all year round regardless of weather.
Stokes says it will lead the club being able to deliver lessons to kids on a consistent basis.
He says he hopes it will inspire youngsters to go on to play competitive golf.
“We train them in maximum groups of six and that is to give them the best coaching possible.
“In years gone by, kids would come to coaching but never play golf, they would just hit golf balls.
“We have changed that approach and our aim is to get them playing golf.
“We are also taking part in Scottish Golf initiatives and play in a mini league in the Highlands.”
The junior section meets every Sunday during the summer.
But Stokes hopes the programme will inspire kids to come to the course on a regular basis.
“We encourage parents to take them to the course outside the coaching period. Coming in once week we can only teach them so much, but we want them to practice as much as they can during their own time.”
