The Scottish golf clubs trying to grow women's and girl's game

The money has come from the governing body’s innovative Women and Girls Coordinator Fund, which was launched in July as a “key pillar” of Scottish Golf’s Women and Girls Strategy 2025-2035.

The 14 successful club/local authority applicants will each receive up to £5,000 from the Rosyth-based organisation in year one of a three-year partnership, which involves phased investment from both sides. Scottish Golf’s total investment in year one will reach £56,000, with clubs and third parties contributing a further £25,000.

Successful applicants in the North and North East of Scotland were Kings, Muir of Ord, Duff House Royal and Inverallochy while Bridge of Allan, Muckhart and Saline, Cawder, Glencruitten Golf Club, Gourock, Wishaw and Merchants of Edinburgh are also involved along with Edinburgh Leisure and North Lanarkshire Council.

Dedicated resources will allow clubs to lift ‘barrier’

“The response to this new funding opportunity has been fantastic,” said Jennifer Wilson, Scottish Golf’s Women and Girls Development Manager.

“In our conversations with clubs, we recognised that while many had the ambition to sustain their existing memberships or welcome more women and girls into the game, this was a challenge in terms of dedicated resources. This fund is designed to remove this barrier for clubs and to help them achieve their ambitions.

“It’s also a chance for clubs to embrace the values that are enshrined in our Women and Girls Strategy, equity of opportunity and inclusion, and to try and make sure these are golden threads running through every aspect of club life.

“It’s great to see adverts now appearing for these new roles and, in the months ahead, our network of Regional Development Managers and our participation team will continue to support clubs to deliver on their plans.”

Under the leadership of Robbie Clyde, Scottish Golf's ambition is to grow female club membership to 38,000 by 2035, signifying a 50 per cent increase.