West Kilbride Golf Club has become the first club in Scotland to commit to the R&A’s Women in Golf Charter.

West Kilbride Golf Club has become the first affiliated club in Scotland to sign The R&A Women in Golf Charter.

Unveiled by The R&A in May 2018, the Women in Golf Charter has been introduced to create a more inclusive culture across the golf industry and to ensure that women are given equal opportunities to maximise their potential, both on the course and within the game of golf.

As signatories, West Kilbride have committed to increase their female membership as part of the club’s business plan. They have also vowed to make peak tee-times available to all members while implementing effective recruitment initiatives to encourage more women and girls to take up membership, including Get into Golf and #ThisGirlGolfs programmes at the club.

Speaking at the club’s opening Ladies’ Medal of the 2019 season, West Kilbride’s Assistant Professional, Linzi Allan said:  “I think it is fantastic that West Kilbride are the first club in Scotland to sign the Women in Golf Charter. Like a lot of clubs across Scotland our ladies’ numbers are down, the average age is up and the club have to take some action to try and attract new female members as well as encourage the existing ones to play.

Personally, I want to be able to continue to grow the community of golfers at West Kilbride, to get more ladies playing the game, and to continue breaking down the barriers that golf has put up for such a long time.”

Carol Harvey, Women & Young People Development Manager at Scottish Golf welcomed the commitment from West Kilbride and encouraged other golf clubs across Scotland to get involved, adding:  “This is great news and I am delighted that West Kilbride Golf Club are the first club in Scotland to have pledged their commitment to the charter. We now have 28 clubs signed up to the Charter with a target of 100 by the end of the year and want to work with all affiliated clubs across the country to create an inclusive environment to grow women and girls’ golf.”

From making the switch to ability-based tees to staging male and female events on the same day, there are a range of options that clubs can commit to as part of the Charter. All affiliated clubs can receive support from Scottish Golf’s Development Team to ensure commitments within their Charter action plan are achieved.

Jackie Davidson, Assistant Director – Golf Development at The R&A, said:  “We are delighted to have West Kilbride’s support as the first golf club in Scotland to sign up to the Women in Golf Charter.

“It is so important for the Charter to break through at club level and West Kilbride’s commitment to a range of initiatives which encourage more women and girls to participate and volunteer in the sport sets a great example to other clubs who are also aiming to make their commitment.”

Interested in signing up to the Women in Golf Charter? You can click HERE to make your commitment to the Women in Golf Charter and a member of the Scottish Golf Development Team will be in touch to support your club.

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Hannah Darling

Youngsters who are passionate about golf are being urged to apply to become a member of a pioneering new programme to help drive the future of the sport.

Applications are now open to join The Young Person’s Golf Panel (YPGP), a national platform created to represent a voice of young people across the country in sport.

Led by Scottish Golf, the governing body for amateur golf in Scotland, The Young Person’s Golf Panel is open to both golfers and non-golfers aged between 14 – 23, who will provide valuable insights and a better understanding of young people in sporting society today.

The panel is being backed by 2018 XACT Scottish Girls Amateur Champion and 2018 R&A Girls U16 Open Champion Hannah Darling, from Broomieknowe Golf Club, who believes the members will be instrumental in changing the future of golf. She said: “The launch of a dedicated panel for young golfers is a brilliant idea. Having a trusted forum to be able to share your opinions with likeminded people who are equally as passionate is a great force for change.

“As a young golfer myself, I can see how the panel could open up many opportunities, so I encourage anyone with an interest in the sport to really consider entering. Not only would you build on your own personal skills, but you would be helping to create a better future for young players in Scotland.”

The panel will play a pivotal role in identifying the issues and barriers young people face when taking up the sport and aim to tackle them head on by collectively sharing fresh and innovative ideas.

They will also be key in helping to increase participation by advising how to encourage more people, and youngsters in particular, to consider playing the sport as well as having their say in the overall vision and strategic direction of Scottish Golf.

Andrew McKinlay, CEO of Scottish Golf, said: “As part of our commitment to growing the game, it’s vitally important we engage and listen to young people, and offer a platform that enables them to voice their opinions.”

Once appointed, panel members will receive a bespoke development programme, tailored to their particular skills and interests. They will be expected to meet as a group two to three times a year to discuss and share new ideas, as well as presenting their thoughts and findings to management and board level.

Andrew added: “This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of an exciting time at Scottish Golf, the successful candidates will be responsible for motivating and inspiring others to get involved in one of Scotland’s most loved sports.

“They will have the chance to develop new life and leadership skills and be part of experiences that will increase their confidence – all of which will help to enhance their CV and career prospects.

“I urge young people with an interest in golf to really grasp this opportunity and help make a difference to the future of sport in Scotland.”

Applications for the Young Person’s Golf Panel are now open for young people aged between 14 – 23 who are willing to commit up to a maximum of two hours per week.

Please visit https://www.scottishgolf.org/club-services/participation/scottish-golf-young-persons-panel/ to apply before the closing date on Wednesday 21 November 2018 at 12 noon.

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Ffion Tynan (Minchinhampton GC)

A starting field of 90 junior girl golfers will tee it up in the inaugural Girls Under 16 Open Championship at Fulford Golf Club on Friday.

The 54-hole stroke play event has been introduced as part of The R&A’s drive to boost the girls’ game in Great Britain and Ireland and beyond, as well as provide a pathway to the elite amateur level for leading young players.

Fulford, hosting an event organised by The R&A for the first time in its history, enjoys a prestigious reputation as a championship venue having staged the first ever Women’s British Open in 1976 as well as European Tour events. It will also host the Girls Under 16 Championship in 2019 and 2020.

With over 120 entries received from right across Europe, a 9.9 handicap limit was required to establish the 90-player starting field.

Duncan Weir, Executive Director – Golf Development at The R&A, said, “We are very much looking forward to staging this new championship which is an exciting development for the women’s game not only in GB&I but throughout Europe.

“Introducing this championship is a key part of The R&A’s ambition to develop the women’s game at the same time as we try to encourage more women and girls to take up golf and pursue careers in the sport.”

The event has attracted an impressive variety of golfing talent and will see established elite amateur players competing with emerging juniors stars – including England’s Rosie Bee Kim, who is the youngest competitor at 10-years-old.

Switzerland’s Elena Moosmann possesses the lowest handicap in the field at +3.5. The 16-year-old, ranked 99th in the World Amateur Golf RankingTM, recently represented the Continent of Europe in the Patsy Hankins Trophy in Doha, Qatar.

2017 Great Britain and Ireland Junior Vagliano trio Carys Worby, Ffion Tynan (pictured) and Caitlan Whitehead will also compete for the title at Fulford.

Welsh player Tynan, 15, will be full of confidence following her recent win at the Scottish Girls Open Championship at Monifieth earlier this month.

The winner of the Girls Under 16 Open Championship will receive The Angela Uzielli Trophy.

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