Alford’s Ryan Gordon was invited to Edinburgh today to join Stewart Maxwell MSP, Minister for Communities and Sport and Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair of sportscotland, to celebrate sportscotland’s annual investment in Scottish golf through the Scottish Golf Union and the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association of £911,000.

This is one of the largest awards to be given to a sport in Scotland and will benefit the sport right across the board, including £500,000 for the junior national golf strategy, clubgolf.

clubgolf has been developed through a partnership between the Scottish Golf Union, the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association, the Professional Golfers' Association, the Golf Foundation and sport scotland. The programme is the result of the Scottish Government's commitment to create the opportunity for every nine-year-old in Scotland to experience golf, on the back of the successful bid to host the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

Thirteen year old Ryan was recently selected for the SGU Academy at Grampian (under coach Neil Marr) and in doing so became the first youngster to progress through every step of the clubgolf pathway. Having started with firstclubgolf at Alford Primary School and continued his development at Alford Golf Club, Ryan’s achievement proves clubgolf’s structure not only increases participation in golf amongst youngsters but provides the opportunity for talented golfers to emerge. Speaking at today’s announcement, Ryan said: “I have certainly benefited enormously from the clubgolf programme. The coaching ensured that I developed good habits right from the start and I would like to thank all the clubgolf coaches, in particular Neil Cobban (Alford’s clubgolf coordinator and a PGA Level 2 coach) and PGA Pro Andy Locke who have both been really supportive.”

With a handicap of 9.7 down from 15.0 at the start of this season, Ryan is clearly an exciting young talent and he is hoping that a place in the SGU Academy programme will help improve his all round game and enable him to realise his dream of becoming a professional golfer. “Getting into the Academy programme is just a fantastic opportunity and has enabled me to get the help of a really good coach in Neil Marr. It has given me the extra motivation to follow my dream, I feel like I am a step closer to reaching my goal and I look forward to working hard to make my wish eventually come true.”

Stewart Maxwell, Minister for Communities and Sport, said: “This is a significant investment in Scottish golf which I hope will help us to continue the excellent work that’s been done recently to introduce new players to the sport. It’s particularly important that more young people will have the chance to try out golf through the clubgolf programme, which is already helping youngsters to discover their passion for the sport and building a pool of fresh talent to produce our golfing stars of the future.”

Originally co-ordinated by sportscotland, clubgolf has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2003 and last year its management was appropriately transferred to golf’s governing bodies. This change is reflected in the funding package announced today.

In 2007 clubgolf achieved some significant milestones:
· Within schools, 26,000 P5 children introduced to golf through firstclubgolf, bringing the number of children who have experienced the programme to over 50,000.
· 5,852 children in structured coaching programmes at golf clubs and facilities comprised of: 4,895 children involved in Stage 1 programmes; 527 children in Stage 2 programmes; 430 children coached by PGA Pros on Stage 3 programmes.
· 945 clubgolf volunteer coaches active in clubs.
· 182 golf clubs and facilities delivering clubgolf.
· 21 PGA Pros delivered Stage 3 programmes.

Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair sportscotland said, “We are delighted to offer the SGU and the SLGA our continued investment and support. clubgolf is a fantastic example of using a major event like the Ryder
Cup as a catalyst for delivering a lasting legacy in terms of increasing participation and improving erformances in sport. I would like to congratulate everyone involved in clubgolf on the significant progress being made and wish Ryan every success in the future.

“I am also sure that we can learn some important lessons for the Commonwealth Games in 2014. However, just like clubgolf, we need to have the vision and aspiration along with the long-term planning and investment and we must start now if we are to make a legacy a reality.”

Acknowledging the investment, Hamish Grey, Chief Executive Officer of the SGU said: "The SGU is delighted to accept this annual award which significantly contributes to our development programmes and is
recognition of the many successes Scottish golfers have enjoyed in recent years.

“As a result of this funding we are able to provide world class coaching structures to Scottish golfers - which is increasingly important as Scotland's hosting of the Ryder Cup draws ever closer.

“Ryan Gordon is an excellent example of a young golfer exploring his talent through structured coaching and as one of the key partners in clubgolf, we can provide continued and joined up programmes through our ‘Pathways’ coaching and development strategy - ensuring every golfer can progress to whatever level they aspire to."

Margaret MacNaughtan, Chairman of the SLGA added: "The SLGA very much appreciates the support it receives from sportscotland. It has enabled us to have Kevin Craggs as our full time national coach and
already Scottish ladies' teams have benefited from his experience. We look forward to a successful 2008."