A number of Ladies European Tour players demonstrated their commitment to growing the game before and during the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open through a variety of development activities organised in partnership with PGA Professional Craig Thomas, golf company Golphin and Scottish Golf.
Prior to the event, a Mini Junior Pro-Am took place at The Gailes, which attracted the attention of First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon. Five of the LET Pros attended to provide encouragement and advice to the local youngsters as they played five holes round the short course. Lydia Hall, Laura Murray, Vikki Laing, Becky Brewerton and Noemi Jimenez Martin were all impressed by the standard of golf even though the children were relatively new to the sport.
The following day, after completing her first round, Kylie Walker went straight to the practice ground where she hit shots with a group of children who, earlier in the day, had enjoyed the fun games and activities organised by Thomas working in partnership with Golphin in the tented village. Those who successfully completed one of the chipping challenges were presented with a free Golfin cap. The children, many of whom were experiencing golf for the first time, were all invited to the event through the North Ayrshire Active Schools programme.
On the Saturday, as part of Scottish Golf’s #ThisGirlGolfs campaign, Scottish Pro Laura Murray helped to welcome around 30 girls from various golf clubs from across Scotland where special girls’ coaching programmes had taken place. After a short Q&A session with Laura, the girls had a bite to eat before heading out onto the course to watch some of the Pros in action. They also saw two of Scottish Golf’s elite female amateurs who had been invited to play in the main event. Lorna McClymont and Rachel Foster got to play alongside Alex Peters and Stefania Croce and learn from them as they played round the course. The #ThisGirlGolfs group then went to the practice ground where they took part in some chipping and putting skills challenges with Stacey Keating, Gemma Dryburgh and Rebecca Hudson.
Mike Round, Director of Development for the LET said: “By working in partnership with Craig, Golfin and the staff at Scottish Golf, we were able to provide amazing opportunities to some of the children who visited the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open. What made these experiences so special was the support we received from so many of the LET players. Thanks to them, the children who came along will have been inspired to go back to their clubs and work on their game.”
As part of its ‘More than a Tour’ strategy, the LET has established a Development Department so that it can work with a variety of partners and its membership to provide innovative and inspiring opportunities at its events that will help to promote golf for women and girls.
