HAWICK GOLF CLUB
DOUBLES JUNIOR
COACHING TEAM

By ROB EYTON JONES
clubgolf MEDIA MANAGER
Hawick Golf Club, which took the lead in introducing the town’s children to golf through the national junior golf strategy, clubgolf, has doubled its volunteer coaching team after two club members attended the PGA Level 1 volunteer coaching course at Craigielaw Golf Club, East Lothian last weekend.
Former club champion Stuart Hunter (on left of picture) and past junior captain Graeme Tinlin (on right of picture), will begin introducing the next generation of Hawick players to golf this spring.
clubgolf - the partnership between the Scottish Golf Union, Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association, Professional Golfers’ Association, the Golf Foundation and sportscotland, developed as a lasting legacy to host the Ryder Cup – was launched in the Borders last April.
Since Burnfoot, Drumlanrig, Hobkirk, Newcastleton, Stirches and Wilton Primary Schools became involved, 207 of the town’s children have experienced clubgolf’s introductory game, firstclubgolf.
Hawick Golf Club has provided the second stage of coaching with real equipment after its junior convenor, David Wilson and fellow club member, Dougie Crawford became qualified to coach Stage 1 of the programme through the PGA Level 1 Volunteers course.
This year, with all of the Hawick’s primary schools providing the introductory game, the numbers of children wishing to develop their golf skills at the club is set to rise.
“We’re delighted to bring on board our latest coaching recruits,” said David Wilson. “Graeme and Stuart have both been involved in the recent running of our Junior section and are very enthusiastic, approachable and respected by our youngsters.”
“This March we will run after school sessions of the firstclubgolf program where we can get all schools involved. This will allow us to sign up the interested kids in April to the coaching program and continue throughout the summer.
“Having two new coaches will allow us to get more kids into the program and with Dougie and myself planning to get the clubgolf Level 2 course and Keith Morgan delivering Level 3 we will have a nice coaching set up in place.”
David and team recently secured sponsorship from Carlisle Golf Centre, which donated 24 pairs of childrens golf boots, and have been pledged 75 golf gloves by tour professional David Drysdale. They are also looking at ways to improve the Club’s junior coaching facilities and are hoping to install an artificial putting green, with a bunker and build a couple of coaching nets.

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