Sport Aberdeen and Kings Links Golf Centre launch youth golfing initiative

A new youth initiative has been launched in Aberdeen, providing youngsters with unrivalled access to golf coaching in the area. The Kings Links Junior Fund has partnered up with the two largest providers of golf in the city, the Kings Links Golf Centre and Sport Aberdeen to provide organised school groups with fully funded golf coaching.

The Kings Links Junior Fund has been offering schools in the Aberdeen area a six-week programme of instruction to encourage the next generation of golfers to take up the sport, which has seen 450 children from nine different schools benefit from the initiative so far this year.

In addition, the charity has provided interested youngsters from the North East funded lessons and coaching at the Kings Links Golf Centre.

The initiative 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, children participating have the chance to put into practice what they have learned on the city’s public golf courses, operated by award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen.

The charity has already provided free coaching to pupils around the area and now, working closely with Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools and the public clubs, it is aiming to widen the reach to offer the initiative to hundreds more school children across the city.

Commenting on the programme, Alistair Robertson, Sport Aberdeen 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.

“Through our partnership with the Kings Links Golf Centre, local golf clubs and the addition of golf instruction into our Active Schools programme, we have helped remove the cost barrier associated with taking up the sport.

“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.”

Chris Law, the chairman of the Kings Links Junior 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 of 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.

“The Kings Links Junior Fund has developed an all-compassing approach to the way we support youngsters, focusing on accessibility and enjoyment. There are a number of ways to get involved, including sponsorship of and donations to the initiative from companies and individuals.

“The charity is also interested to hear from individuals who would be interested in mentoring the young people in the programme, helping them beyond the game of golf with employability skills and mentor support.

“If you are a teacher or a company and would like to participate or you would like to get your children or school on the programme, please get in touch.”

To find out more about the initiative and for information regarding sponsorship opportunities please email Chris Law, Kings Links Junior Fund Chairman chris@kingslinksjuniorfund.com