St Andrews Links Blog

SALJGA goes from strength to strength

Since 2001, the St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association (SALJGA) has been providing the children of St Andrews with the opportunity to learn the game that was created in their hometown.

After 18 years, SALJGA continues to thrive with over 345 active members who range from five to eighteen years old, all of varying abilities.

2019 has been another brilliant year and below are some of the highlights:

The SALJGA Elite Team with Golf Academy Instructors Blair and Rachel

Presentation time with Blair

Balgove Sessions: Primary 1 – 4

Every Monday and Tuesday evening from April until June, the Balgove Course turned into a coaching station for very energetic P1-4 students. There’s a total of 110 children split between the two nights. Instructors Mike and Rachel along with 40 supportive volunteers join in on the fun. Sessions included a little physical exercise to develop balance, strength, agility and much more. Specific to golf, the kids were introduced to several aspects of the game including putting, chipping and a competitive Texas scramble!

SALJGA members receiving their certificates after 8 weeks of coaching

A few of the 40 SALJGA volunteers with instructors Mike and Rachel

Chipping lesson taking place

Training the fun way!

It’s not only the kids who have fun, our instructors are sometimes just big kids!

Professional Coaching

Older SALJGA members (S1–6 students) receive coaching throughout the week from the Academy’s seven other brilliant instructors. Using our top of the range short game area, the members can fine tune this very important aspect of the game! Here they were taught the proper technique for lots of different shots including hitting out of pot bunkers, bump and runs and long distance putting. After the eight weeks of coaching, Callaway hats were gifted for improvements in their skill, determination and sportsmanship!

A graduation style celebration!

Team Matches

Every year, our SALJGA members are extremely lucky to venture to other courses to represent the Links in team matches. These are great opportunities to make new friends and enjoy a day/weekend playing golf on some fantastic golf courses. It has been a great summer for our team players. The minis (P3 and below) have enjoyed matches here at the Balgove Course as well as Carnousite Golf Links and The Dukes Course. Whilst the Elite Team have been extremely fortunate once again this year. Matches against Crail and Carnoustie were played on the Old Course and they enjoyed a trip to London to play against Wentworth on the Championship Course.

The SALJGA Elite Team at Wentworth Golf Club

SALJGA members alongside competitors from Crail Golfing Society and the Carnoustie Craws

Cheery chaps from the SALJGA Minis

Day Trips

SALJGA has been able to do some fantastic things alongside The R&A. This summer, the girls had the pleasure of meeting the 2018 Women’s British Open Champion and Solheim Cup player, Georgia Hall. Georgia shared her experiences as a young golfer and what skills she needed to get her to where she is today. After demonstrating certain shots, Georgia took photos with the SALJGA girls and The Women’s British Open trophy!

In August, the R&A also welcomed SALJGA members into the British Golf Museum. Not only did they provide a fantastic tour learning the history of the game but they also encouraged the kids to dress up as if they were playing golf back in the 15^th century.

Day trip to the British Golf Museum

Georgia Hall sharing her wisdom with the SALJGA girls

A few of the SALJGA girls receiving coaching from Georgia Hall

SALJGA Junior Open & BBQ

At the end of every season, all members and their families are invited to join us at the SALJGA Junior Open and end of year BBQ. With over 345 members, we were able to provide competitions for all types of members. Mini putting for our P1 and P2’s, 9 holes on the Balgove Course for our P3 and P4’s and stableford competitions across our Strathtyrum and Eden Courses. It was a spectacular day with over 250 people joining in. To end , it was great having almost all our members in one place celebrating their golfing achievements throughout the year!

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Words by Rachel Lewis, Academy Operations