World’s top players give ClubGolf kids a special day

Over 400 kids take part in ClubGolf’s VIP Challenge and meet pros including Rickie Fowler.

FLAMBOYANT American Ryder Cup star Rickie Fowler was amazed at the number of children that turned up to take part in ClubGolf’s VIP Challenge and says he loved every second of it.

Fowler was in Scotland to compete in the Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen, and he was ‘surprised’ by the number of junior golfers that turned up for the annual competition.

COOL

“It’s cool to see and definitely cool to come over to Scotland to play,” said the 25-year-old. “But to kick off, starting out with junior golf, I mean, I was in this position not too long ago. I’m not very old yet so it’s really cool to be able to come and hang out with kids.

“I’m surprised at how many kids are here. You’ve got a lot of room here and it’s pretty well filled with a bunch of junior players.”

Several of the American’s fellow tour pros joined him at Murcar Links, including Scottish quartet Stephen Gallacher, Paul
Lawrie, Russell Knox and
Martin Laird.

Gallacher has been a big supporter of junior golf for a number of years, and he said it was great to get the chance to see the work that ClubGolf are doing to help get more youngsters into the game.

He said: “You’ve got to get the fun element in there and get them hooked. When you get them hooked you can start the process of developing them and getting them on the golf course. They’ve got to start somewhere and camps, camps like this, are brilliant for golf.”

First Minister Alex Salmond was also in attendance, with executives from the PGA, European Tour and Ryder Cup.

Jackie Davidson, ClubGolf manager, added: “It really adds to the fun and excitement for the children and the ClubGolf volunteers having the pros joining in, hitting a few balls and chatting away. It was a great start to the day, which moved on our activity zone at the Scottish Open where kids then got to meet Alastair Forsyth and Greig Hutcheon.

“We’re grateful to the players for taking the time to make the day really special for so many children.”

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