A new initiative has teed off in Aberdeen, providing youngsters with access to golf coaching and courses in the area.
The Kings Links Junior Fund has joined forces with the two largest providers of the pursuit in the city, the Kings Links Golf Centre and Sport Aberdeen, to offer kids fully-funded coaching and free access to Aberdeen’s municipal courses.
The initiative features a six-week programme of instruction to encourage the next generation to take up the sport, which has seen 450 children from nine different schools benefit from the initiative so far.
In addition, the charity has provided youngsters in the area with funded lessons and coaching at the Kings Links Golf Centre.
The venture was founded to inspire school-age children to try the sport, at no cost, to learn and develop some of the techniques and rules of the game.
In the final week of the programme, the children will have the chance to put into practice what they have learned on the city’s public golf courses.
The charity has already provided free coaching to pupils around the region and now, working closely with Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools and the public clubs, is aiming to offer the initiative to hundreds more children across the city.
Chris Law, chairman of the fund, said: “By working alongside Sport Aberdeen, local schools and golf clubs, we can provide youngsters with a unique opportunity to learn and play golf free of charge.
“This, ‘fairway to golf’, places the emphasis on playing not paying, thereby reducing the barrier of cost to play the game.
“I have always been a firm believer that, if we make the sport more accessible, we’ll be able to nurture more young golfers.
“The north east has been home to a number of golfing greats over the years and it is now time we create a programme for the next generation.
“The charity has plans to expand its programme to include funding green fees and even group club memberships.”
Alistair Robertson, Sport Aberdeen’s managing director, said: “Encouraging the next generation of golfers into the sport is vital for the longevity of the game and for the future of our beloved local golf courses.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for children across the city to learn golf and it would be great to see some of the new young golfers go on to join our junior membership base and continue on their golfing journey.”