Perthshire pupils get free golf lessons from Taymouth Castle estate
Taymouth Castle estate is providing free golf lessons for Aberfeldy primary school pupils.
Taymouth Castle has joined Perth and Kinross Active Schools to launch junior golf taster sessions for Breadalbane Academy pupils.
The programme is delivered by Taymouth Castle’s highly experienced PGA Professionals as part of the pupils’ regular PE curriculum with the aim of making golf more accessible to children while promoting physical and mental wellbeing.
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The pilot programme started this month with pupils participating in four taster sessions that combine skill development, fitness, and fun.
If successful, there are plans to expand the programme to other Perthshire primary schools in Perthshire. More than 100 Perthshire primary pupils are expected to benefit from the programme.
Live Active Leisure Active Schools coordinator Gregor Ross said: “Taymouth Castle have very generously committed to delivering a four-week block of golf for every Breadalbane Academy P1 to P4 pupil.
“Following this, in collaboration with Active Schools, the intention is to identify senior pupils within Breadalbane Academy who could be upskilled by the Taymouth Castle PGA professionals to run an extracurricular club to continue the golf provision.
“This approach not only provides a sustainable future for extracurricular golf at Breadalbane Academy, but also provides a great development opportunity for the senior pupils, giving them hands-on experience of coaching whilst working towards other awards such as Duke of Edinburgh and the Saltire Award.
“Active Schools are delighted to be working with Taymouth Castle in delivering free golf sessions for P1 to P4 pupils at Breadalbane Academy.
“Golf will be a new experience for a majority of the pupils and, having spectated at the first session this week, it’s obvious it will be a huge hit.
“The PGA professionals from Taymouth Castle led a brilliant session - blending golf core skills, competition and enjoyment seamlessly.
“With a variety of golf clubs located in Highland Perthshire, we’re hopeful this will be the first step in a lifetime of enjoyment of golf for the pupils.”
Following [the junior programme] the intention is to identify senior pupils within Breadalbane Academy who could be upskilled by the Taymouth Castle PGA professionals to run an extracurricular club to continue the golf provision.
Mr Ross added: “This approach not only provides a sustainable future for extracurricular golf at Breadalbane Academy, but also provides a great development opportunity for the senior pupils, giving them hands-on experience of coaching whilst working towards other awards such as Duke of Edinburgh and the Saltire Award.”
Active Schools is a nationwide Scottish Government programme which encourages school pupils to get more exercise.
It acts as a link between sports clubs and organisations - such as Taymouth Castle - and schools to facilitate school delivery either during the curriculum or as extracurricular clubs.
Within Perth and Kinross, the Active Schools team is part of the council’s leisure trust - Live Active Leisure.