An Angus sports academy determined to prove golf is not an “old man’s sport” is hoping to emulate the success of another local scheme.
The Arbroath links course has been hit hard in recent times with a 50% decline in membership in the past decade and no new junior members in more than four years.
And with the average age of a golfer at Arbroath now over 60, Arbroath Golf Club’s new vice-captain Jonathan Mullett is leading the charge to try and get kids back into the sport.
Mr Mullett is one of four fully-qualified golf coaches who have started a free Friday night youth golf academy aiming to emulate the success of Angus Darts Academy.
That scheme, driven by Alan “Soots” Soutar, hit new heights last month when Forfar teenager Nathan Girvan reached the World Youth Championships Final at Lakeside.
And while the Arbroath Golf Academy (AGA) is still on the first tee, they are hoping their youngsters will soon make the cut.
“Over the last four or five years we have had no new intake at junior level and that is something we have to change,” said Mr Mullett.
“The perception is that golf is an older man’s sport but that’s not the case at all.
“We want to change the cycle and make it a sport that kids want to take up from a young age.
“We’ve been inspired by what the Darts Academy have done for kids in our town and Angus.
“They’ve got kids involved to the kind of level where some of them are qualifying for major tournaments.
“That’s incredible.”
The club is already seeing around 30 to 40 juniors come down each week, with almost as many girls playing as boys.
The golf club’s youth drive has seen them take classes at local Arbroath primary schools such as Arbirlot and Muirfield and they hope to tie up with Active Schools to roll out their coaching programme.
The club has also slashed membership fees for members aged 18 to 24 years old by 50% to £190, with a £20 bar fee.
Captain Tom Pullar said he wants youngsters to have access to free coaching in the same way he did, 40 years ago.
“I grew up in Monifieth and there was a local tea planter who left a lot of money to the club in his will for lessons,” he said.
“It meant a lot of young people like me were able to take up the game and it stuck with me ever since.
“But, unfortunately, people think this is an old man’s sport.
“That’s why this academy is so good for us.”
