Juniors at the Home of Golf can look forward to an increased level of support from the game’s governing body after The R&A agreed to a substantial increase in their funding for St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association (SALJGA).
Following an initial five year commitment, The R&A has announced that their backing for SALJGA will continue for a second five year term with their contribution rising by twenty five per cent, to £62,500.
‘We have been involved with SALJGA since 2002, right from the start,’ said Duncan Weir, R&A Director of Golf Development. ‘Enormous progress has been made, with hundreds of kids getting a start in the game, and St Andrews is now punching its weight at county and national level in both boys’ and girls’ events.’
The endorsement of The R&A for the work of the SALJGA programme was welcomed by Paul Kirkcaldy, Junior Golf Manager.
‘This is a great boost for all of us who work with the juniors in St Andrews,’ said Paul. ‘The R&A’s generosity is an indication of their long standing commitment to grass roots golf.’
The award comes from the annual surplus generated by The Open Championship and is part of a series of R&A grants that encourage young people worldwide to take up golf and develop their skills.
SALJGA members enjoy a wide of range of benefits, including privileged access to the Golf Practice Centre. A structured programme of lessons is delivered at two levels, with the younger beginners under the supervision of volunteers on the nine-hole Balgove Course and more accomplished players under the tutelage of PGA professionals.
Open Champion Paul Lawrie is honorary president of SALJGA, which gives young players the opportunity to learn from someone who has reached the pinnacle of the game. After a recent coaching session with the juniors, Lawrie commented: ‘I was very impressed with the quality of their games and also the level of enthusiasm in the group.’
Duncan Weir took time to praise the Links Trust for recent improvements, particularly in the availability of top class coaching in state of the art surroundings at St Andrews Links Golf Academy.
‘Over the last five years local facilities have been enhanced and there are more opportunities to participate in golf than ever before.
‘The R&A is delighted to help in the further development of SALJGA and we hope that St Andrews kids will take advantage of what is on offer. There is no comparable organisation operating so effectively on this scale in Scotland.’
Ends.
Notes to editors
St Andrews Links Trust is a charitable organisation responsible for the management and maintenance of the Links courses at St Andrews, including the famous Old Course, host of the 2010 Open Championship. The Trust was established in 1974. It employs more than 200 permanent staff and seasonal workers during the high season. It manages a number of additional facilities including two clubhouses, a golf practice centre and three shops.
More than 200,000 rounds are played over six public courses, which feature two additional championship courses (the New and the Jubilee), two 18-hole courses (the Eden and the Strathtyrum) and a nine-hole course (the Balgove). A seventh course, The Castle Course, is under construction on a site to the south-east of St Andrews.
For more information visit www.standrews.org.uk.
Contact:
Mike Woodcock
Communications manager
St Andrews Links Trust
01334 466610
E-mail mikewoodcock@standrews.org.uk