Four of Scotland’s most promising young golfers, European Challenge Tour Members Gavin Dear and Callum Macaulay and Ladies European Tour Members Krystle Caithness and Kylie Walker, were today announced by Scottish Golf Support Limited as the first players to benefit from a share of a £1m funding programme.
The sum will be invested over the next five years to help promising young Scottish professionals fulfil their talent and ambitions in the game.
The quartet, who all excelled at amateur level, became the first to receive around £25,000 each in tailored support from Scottish Golf Support Limited, the group established last year and harnessing the combined expertise of sportscotland, the Scottish Golf Union, the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association and the Professional Golfers’ Association.
Today’s announcement will ensure the four aspiring players have access to some of the nation’s best coaches and sport science support.
Graeme Simmers, Chairman of Scottish Golf Support Limited, welcomed the boost that the talented young quartet will receive through the new programme.
He said: “I’m delighted to announce our support of Krystle, Kylie, Callum and Gavin, all of whom have fantastic potential to become leading players on their respective professional Tours.
“They have already demonstrated their capability, and with the additional support will be well-equipped to fulfil their ambitions.”
The four golfers each meet the minimum requirements of having full playing rights on the European Challenge Tour or Ladies European Tour, and having been professional for two full seasons or less.
Macaulay, whose 2011 Challenge Tour campaign got underway with an 11th place finish at the inaugural Gujarat Kensville Challenge in India, expressed his delight at being selected.
He said: “It’s fantastic to be one of the first players to receive support from the new programme, and hopefully I can repay the Scottish golfing public with some good performances and regain my European Tour card.
“I’ve already benefitted from being with the Scotland Men’s Elite Squad out in South Africa, and it’s also good to put something back into the game by helping the younger players coming through with the advice I was able to give them.”
Sports Minister Shona Robison said: “Golf is a big part of Scotland’s culture, identity and economy, and we are committed to be developing and supporting fresh young talent.
“These talented young people are an inspiration to others, and this extra support will hopefully see them excel even more. I’m proud that we have such dedicated young players flying the flag for the ‘Home of Golf’.
“Our national coaches have enjoyed tremendous success of late, and our work to introduce golf to every child through clubgolf has produced some fantastic results. With The 2014 Ryder Cup in Scotland, encouraging our youngsters to participate in the sport will hopefully see more talented young Scots reaching the professional circuit.”
The move to proactively support young Scottish talent in the all-important transition from the amateur to the professional ranks was welcomed by both The European Tour and the Ladies’ European Tour.
George O’Grady, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “The European Tour supports all initiatives designed to develop the game further by encouraging the emergence of young talent, and we look forward to watching the progress of all young players in Scotland.”
Alexandra Armas, Executive Director of the Ladies European Tour, said: “By offering the players funding and services, they are giving them the chance to realise their full potential, and enabling participation and encouraging sporting excellence in the international arena.”
