HOT OFF THE PRESS

Strathmore's name is again making headlines and other sports reporters and journalists have taken a keen interest in our Club Hire Scheme so let's see what happens next ??? This article was written by Matthew Gallagher and appeared in todays Perthshire Advertiser. Turns out when I was telling him the reason I became Junior Convenor and mentioned Allan Easton's name it turns out Matt knew him and his dad Fraser very well as he had played football for Burrelton Rovers. Small world.

Since the Scheme appeared on Kirkwood last week I have had so many different people from all over the Country congratulating me on it's success. A full set of Ladies Irons and a half set of Junior Clubs with a putter have been added to the selection of clubs available for hire. The Ladies Secretary in Dumfriesshire is letting all her Junior Convenors know and Craigmillar Park Golf Club in Edinburgh are just about to launch a similar scheme after using my blueprint. Things are moving so fast   

CLUB HIRE SCHEME PROVES TO BE A MASTER STROKE

Thought it was about time the rest of the Country knew what helps make Strathmore Juniors so successful. Check Kirkwood - Scottish Golf View - http://www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk/

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

CLUB HIRE SCHEME PROVES TO BE A MASTER STROKE

 What a great idea from Iain Butchart of Strathmore Golf Club.......

I thought you might be interested in a unique Scheme I set up 4 years ago which is making Golf more affordable for Juniors. Last year we attracted 15 New Junior Members 

I have been Junior Convenor at Strathmore Golf Club for the past 8 years and over that time have seen some of our youngsters progress beyond my wildest expectations - 2 PGA Assistant Professionals, 2 current Scottish Junior Internationalists, 3 American University Scholarships, 3 current Scottish Academy players and various County Champions at both junior and adult County level.
Strathmore Golf Centre supports the Junior Section by paying a PGA Professional to provide 17 hours of free coaching to our Juniors over the season and annual fees have been kept affordable to encourage membership.

The other cost parents face is buying clubs. I have watched them arrive with adult cut down, ill fitting and heavy clubs and kids growing up so quick that between the ages of 5 and 15 they may need to replace their sets on average 5 times at an average cost of £750 over 10 years. Bearing this in mind and trying to think of a way to assist parents with this expenditure and to make sure Juniors were using appropriate equipment 5 years ago I had a brainwave and it appeared feasible as long as  I could raise some capital to fund the scheme. SSE Drumderg Wind Farm Community Fund Scheme were looking for local projects to sponsor so I completed their application form and was delighted when they agreed to invest and so I set up the scheme and waited to see what would happen.

Initial Investment 
Drumderg          £1,500
Quiz League.        £225
Junior Section        £75
Total                   £1,800

Initially I bought 12 Junior sets for ages 5 to 7, 8 to 10 and 11 and over for £660.60 and 2 Ladies sets for £438.05. Then 2 years later had to add another 3 Ladies sets at £178.56, £134.98 and £229.99. And last year added £60 for 4 trolleys and £25 for re-gripping repairs being a total expenditure to date of £1,727.18. I set hire charges at £25 per annum per set and recently added trolley hire at £5 per annum

In year 1 - 2 joined      £50
            2 - 4 joined    £100
            3 - 9 joined    £225
            4 - 17 joined  £430 
Income to date          £805
Current Balance   £877.82 - plus we have the original 17 sets and another 10 sets which have been donated.

What an amazing success, my dream has come true, the Scheme will self perpetuate ad infinitum, meaning juniors can try Golf with a minimum cost by hiring and not buying clubs and if they continue playing they can potentially save themselves at least £500 over 10 years. Last year of the 15 new members (9 boys and 6 girls) 8 of them joined the Club Hire Scheme. Also we now have a total of 15 girls at Strathmore which certainly bucks the trend as many clubs throughout the Country don’t have any.  

Iain Butchart – Junior Convenor – Strathmore Golf Club

[Editor:  Maybe other clubs could do the same... it certainly seems to work at Strathmore]

TIME WELL SPENT

Just spent 2 hours with Amy and her Mum planning out her 2017 season -  School Exams and study time allocated we highlighted Scottish, County, Club and Individual events in that order and with a few dates still to be confirmed her calendar is already filling up. With Junior Opens and Strathmore competitions to add this will be a busy year and hopefully a very successful one.
If anyone else needs help planning their season just give me a call

AND IT'S JUST GOT BETTER

Alex has just been confirmed as one of the final three in Perth and Kinross's Young Sports Personality of the Year. The winner will be announced on Friday 3rd March. Fingers crosssed and will keep you up to date !!! Well deserved after all he achieved last year.

UNBELIEVABLE START TO THE SEASON

I would publicly like to thank David Norman and Peter Howell for putting together this unbelievably generous Incentive package for our Junior members which replaces the scholarship programme. Not only does it reward those who have reached certain standards but it gives them an opportunity to be rewarded for improving further and for those not quite there yet what an incentive to improve !!!

This is the most exciting development we have ever had and combined with the club hire scheme and coaching programme why would anyone want to be a member elsewhere ?        

Junior Member Incentives

All Juniors
17 hours of Free Tuition with Strathmore PGA Golf Professional Gareth Couzens.

Juniors 18 Handicap to 11 Handicap
200 Range Balls Per Month

Juniors 10 Handicap to 6 Handicap

400 Range Balls Per Month
50% Reduction in Centre Membership Fees.
Reduce handicap over the season:
£10 Shop Voucher per stroke payable at the end of the season (summer tees off).

Juniors 5 Handicap or Less

Complimentary Centre Membership.
400 Range Balls Per Month
Reduce handicap over season:
£20 Shop Voucher per stroke payable at the end of the season (summer tees off).

Conditions:

1. The Junior Member must join Strathmore Golf Club and the Junior's Home Club must remain at, or change to, Strathmore Golf Club.
2. Incentives apply to both Current and New Members.
3. Junior must be under 18 years of age as at 1st January.
4. Incentives apply on Handicaps based at the start of the season or at the time of Joining Strathmore Golf Centre.

HUGE THANK YOU

Gents member Andy Reeves has donated a full set of irons and 2 utility woods to our club hire scheme. Much appreciated and hopefully be put to use soon.