Hill plans to get ‘rookied’

Jun 26 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

CASH-STRAPPED Craigie Hill Golf Club has embarked on an ambitious fundraising drive and recruitment campaign.

And it all adds up to good news for men and woman who fancy taking up the sport.

The Hill and professional Niall McGill are launching an imaginative initiative designed to tempt adult novices and tee-up a chance to sample golf without breaking the bank.

While moves to introduce youngsters to the sport in the countdown to the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles are proving successful, clubs across the country are facing falling memberships.

So Craigie Hill has rolled out a ground-breaking “Learn to Play Golf Membership” offering adult rookie golfers restricted access to the course for just £100 a year – with clubs being made available from the pro’s shop.

Vice-captain Barrie Douglas explained: “Declining membership is something clubs across the country are having to address.

“While youngsters are keen to take-up golf it’s the 30-45 age group that we have to attract.

“The Hill has been posting losses for the last 10 years and that simply can’t continue. We are coming up with a series of fundraisers but we are keen to attract new members and that lies at the root of this initiative.

“Our centenary year is in 2011 and we want to be around to celebrate the milestone.”

GS Brown Construction proposals to relocate the club to a new course at Methven and seek consent for housing on the Hill have been forced into cold storage by the recession.

Professional Niall McGill, who also operates the Noah’s Ark Golf Centre, said: “There have been a number of new courses opening in our area and waiting lists have all but disappeared. All too often we are seeing the same members being recycled among clubs.

“Our initiative is geared towards attracting men and women into golf who might be put off at present by the start-up costs. It could have spin-off benefits for other local clubs.

“Schemes like clubgolf are proving very successful and there is a thriving junior section. But we are trying to attract more adults into, or back to the game.

“Some people are put off by having to buy clubs and join a club, fearing they might not take to the sport.

“This gives them opportunity to sample golf on a non-competitive basis. The £100 offer is available for up to two seasons and payments will be deducted from their first full membership fee if they decide golf is for them.”

Niall has gathered a selection of clubs at the shop which will be made available from the start of July.

“There are some restrictions but generally the course will be available to novices outwith medal times. And we will have a selection of clubs players can use,” he added. “The idea is to tempt as many people as possible into the game.

“Excitement is already building in advance of the Ryder Cup coming to Perthshire. It is regarded as one of the world’s top sporting attractions.

“Youngsters are responding enthusiastically to initiatives introducing them to golf. Numbers are on the up at Craigie Hill and Noah’s Ark. But few clubs can afford to wait 10 years for that to filter through.

“Perth and Kinross golf is really strong right now, with world champions Wallace Booth and Gavin Dear putting it on the map. We have internationals at various levels and, here at the Hill, Nicky Barr and Danny Young have been making a mark.

“But family and work commitments, and the recession, might be stopping an older age group taking up golf.

“And often golfers come from traditional golfing families. This initiative gives people who missed out on golf in their younger days a chance to take it up.

“And it will show that the image of golf as staid and stuffy is out of date and well wide of the mark.”

Craigie Hill is also offering full gents’ membership through to the end of March for just £200 and ladies can take advantage of a £150 deal.

This comes hard on the heels of a ground-breaking hook-up with Turnhouse, Stranraer and Helensburgh, allowing members free access to these courses.

Details on the various Craigie Hill packages are available from the pro on Perth 622644.