By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman
Scottish Golf and St Andrews Links Trust join forces with ‘Road to Home of Golf’
Junior golfers throughout Scotland are being offered the chance to tee up at St Andrews through an exciting new competition.
The
Road to the Home of Golf has been launched by Scottish Golf and St
Andrews Links Trust and is open to youngsters aged 18 and under with
handicaps between 8.5 and 54.
Junior golfers in Scotland are being offered the chance to tee up in a new event in St Andrews later this year | Scottish Golf
Junior golfers, both male and female, can enter a qualifying event at
their local club, with 102 players - 51 golfers in two separate handicap
categories - being invited to a final in St Andrews.
Players with handicaps between 8.5 and 19.4 will play their final on the
Eden Course and those from 19.5 to 54 will compete on the Strathtyrum
Course.
Having
been included as part of the overall five-figure tournament budget
underwritten by the Links Trust, financial support is on offer for any
youngsters requiring significant travel to attend the final.
‘Our role is to enhance junior development’
“This
event represents an extremely positive step forward for our National
Junior Framework and the programmes within it,” said Scottish Golf’s CEO
Robbie Clyde.
“The framework provides fun and structured events and competitions for
juniors across Scotland. However, beyond this, our role is to ensure
programmes provide positive environments and experiences in golf that
support and enhance junior development.
Scottish Golf CEO Robbie Clyde is delighted with a boost for the governing body’s National Junior Framework | Scottish Golf
“The
Road to the Home of Golf Final in October will provide a player
experience to remember for those who qualify, rewarding and recognising
their achievement.”
Neil
Coulson, chief executive of St Andrews Links Trust, added: “Scotland’s
junior golfers are the future of the game, and at the Home of Golf we
believe we have a responsibility not just to provide playing
opportunities, but competitive opportunities for youngsters to support
them thrive in the sport.
“Working
alongside Scottish Golf to develop the Road to the Home of Golf has
enabled us to create a unique competition which ensures geography and
costs of travel will not stop any young golfer from taking part.
New event hailed as a ‘great opportunity’
“We
are incredibly proud of the work which has already been done and we are
looking forward to hosting the first annual competition later this
year.
“I would encourage all eligible junior golfers at affiliated clubs to
enter. The Road to the Home of Golf will be a great opportunity to play,
but also to meet others and build friendships across the sport.”
