Scotland’s young people to enjoy a spectacular summer of golf

Scotland’s Year of Young People is celebrating across the country’s summer golf events with a series of activities aimed at engaging young people in the game.

2018 in Scotland has been dedicated as the Year of Young People and it coincides with a summer where Scotland will once again welcome some of the world’s biggest golf events as part of a portfolio of events which spans the country.

The activity, which takes place at major golf events such as The 147^th Open at Carnoustie and the Aberdeen Standard Investments Men’s and Ladies Scottish Opens throughout July, includes provision for ten youngsters to experience the thrill of playing alongside some of the biggest names in golf as well as the opportunity for a young person to caddy for Scottish golfer and former Ryder Cup player Stephen Gallacher gaining a once-in-a-lifetime behind-the-ropes experience.

Highlights of golf’s celebration of Scotland’s Year of Young People include:

• Junior golfers Jack Mann (Fortrose & Rosemarkie), Alex MacGillivray (Nairn Dunbar) and Scott MacKenzie (Muir of Ord), who were all born in 2006, were selected to play alongside Danish professional golfer Joachim B Hansen in the SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge at Spey Valley to mark 12 years of VisitScotland support to the event
• 18 schools from across East Lothian provided maths equations to feature on the numbered pin flags (1-18) at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Men’s and Ladies Scottish Open’s supporting the Scottish Government’s Making Maths Count initiative
• Free campsite accommodation for Under-25s at The Open Camping Village during The 147^th Open at Carnoustie
• Six junior golfers chosen by Scottish Golf to represent First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in the pro-ams at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Men’s and Ladies Scottish Opens: Aaron Hall, Andrew Thornton, Rachel Foster, Ruben Lindsay, Grace Crawford and Evanna Hynd.
• 17 year old Cameron Gallagher from Longniddry was chosen by the Stephen Gallacher Foundation to caddy for Stephen during the pro-am of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open. Cameron, who plays off a handicap of 2, has been a foundation member since 2012.
• First Minister mentee Charlotte Liddell will take part in the trophy presentation party on the Sunday of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open
• 15 year old Charlie Campbell from Edinburgh was invited by VisitScotland to play in one of their pro-am teams to play alongside defending champion Rafa Cabrera Bello
• 30 junior members from Gulllane Golf Club got the chance to play a 3-hole challenge with 10 European Tour professionals on the Wednesday of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.
• Opportunity through Young Scot for two young people to shadow members of the IMG team staging and delivering the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open at Gullane for learning and development
• Preston Lodge School Pipe Band in Edinburgh chosen to play during the live trophy presentation at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open
• A team of Police Scotland youth volunteers identified to run an official scoreboard during the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open

Young people have the chance to go free to Scotland’s golf events* across the summer, and in addition to the highlights above, each event includes a host of exciting come and try activities for both golfers and prospective golfers to get involved in.

Scotland’s summer of golf in 2018 features no fewer than nine events taking place across six local authority areas and attended by around 330,000 spectators. The events will be broadcast into more than 600 million homes worldwide, generate more than 11,000 hours of broadcast coverage and deliver an economic impact to Scotland in excess of £70 million.

Paul Bush, Director of Events with VisitScotland, said: “I’m thrilled that the world-class golf events taking place across Scotland in 2018 are supporting Scotland’s Year of Young People. Golf in Scotland truly is a game for all and it is important that our golf events offer an exciting and welcoming environment for young people as we look to encourage more people into the game.”

Three time European Tour winner Stephen Gallacher said: “I’m delighted to be able to support the Year of Young People in Scotland by offering one of my foundation members the opportunity to come inside the ropes and caddy for me during the Pro-Am of my national open. Helping to encourage and inspire Scotland’s next generation of golfers is something I’m extremely passionate about and I was delighted to give Cameron the chance to carry my bag and enjoy this experience.”

Cameron Gallagher, member of the Stephen Gallagher Foundation said: “It was an amazing experience getting to caddy for Stephen during the Scottish Open Pro-Am. To be able to watch and learn how he goes about his job was so cool and it’s a day that I will never forget.”