01 Sep Crieff Juniors – A Season to Be Proud Of

It has been a fantastic season for our Junior Section and everyone at Crieff Golf Club should be extremely proud of what our young golfers have achieved.

We are very fortunate to have such an active and buoyant junior membership with youngsters of all ages enjoying their golf, developing their skills and progressing through the different stages of the game. Just as importantly, whenever they represent Crieff Golf Club, they do so with professionalism, maturity and enthusiasm regardless of their age. They are tremendous ambassadors for the Club.

A Pathway That Is Working

One of the most encouraging aspects of the season has been seeing our junior pathway really beginning to bear fruit. From the Saturday coaching sessions, youngsters are progressing through Golf Sixes, Flag Golf and 9-hole golf on the Dornock Course providing a clear and supportive route from learning the game to playing out on the course.

A huge amount of credit must go to Iain Mackenzie, Gavin Brock and our parent volunteers, who give their time and encouragement so generously.   Feedback from the Saturday coaching groups has been extremely positive and it is wonderful to see so many of our youngest golfers enjoying the game and wanting to progress.

At the heart of our Junior Section is Jack Thow & Bob Wilson, whose passion and commitment to junior golf is evident in everything they do. They are dedicated to ensuring that our junior members receive the very best opportunities, encouragement and support, whether they are picking up a golf club for the first time or representing Crieff at the highest level. The Club is extremely grateful for the considerable time and energy he devotes to our young golfers and to the continued development of the Junior Section.

Success Across Perth & Kinross

There has been plenty to celebrate competitively too.

Our Crieff Golf Sixes Team were crowned Perth & Kinross Champions this season a fantastic achievement which has earned them a place in the Scottish Golf Sixes Final at Blairgowrie on 4th October.

Crieff also won the P&K Flag qualifier securing a place in the final at Gleneagles on Sunday 30th August, while our juniors continue to feature strongly in the P&K Order of Merit standings. Charlie Malone and Kieran Wilson currently occupy two of the top three Scratch positions with Ross Buttar in the top three of the Handicap standings. With the top three in each section receiving a one-year Gleneagles Scholarship, there is plenty still to play for.

Our juniors have also been exceptionally well represented at local Opens throughout the season with Crieff regularly fielding more junior players than any other club in the region. That level of participation is something of which we can be particularly proud.

Individual Achievements

There have also been some excellent individual opportunities and achievements.
Charlie Mackenzie has qualified for the Wee Wonders UK Final at Gullane on 29th–30th August. Ryan Linnius and Lucy Robertson will represent Crieff at the Faldo Futures final which is being held 26th and 27th August at the Belfry hosted by Sir Nick Faldo.

Congratulations also go to Cameron Russell, Charlie Malone and Kieran Wilson who have been selected for the Perth & Kinross County Boys Team.

Our younger juniors have also been excelling in the Skills Challenge with several Crieff players sitting at or near the top of the national leaderboards. More importantly, they are thoroughly enjoying the challenges and developing their skills along the way.

Plenty Still to Come

The season is far from over. Our junior matchplay competitions are progressing towards their latter stages, while our 9-hole players have already competed at several venues across the region.

We also look forward to the Junior Team Golf Day on 13th September when six teams of 6 will compete in a qualifier for the East Division Final at Downfield with the opportunity to progress to the Scottish Final at Monifieth.

A Junior Section to Be Proud Of

The strength of our Junior Section is about much more than results and trophies. It is about participation, friendship, development and giving young people the opportunity to enjoy golf in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Seeing so many juniors proudly representing Crieff Golf Club at events throughout Perth & Kinross and beyond is fantastic. Their conduct both on and off the course continues to reflect exceptionally well on the Club.

None of this would be possible without the commitment of Bob, our coaches, parents and volunteers, who give so much of their time to support and encourage our young golfers.

To every one of our juniors congratulations on a tremendous season so far. We are incredibly proud of your achievements, but even more proud of the way you represent Crieff Golf Club. We look forward to watching your golfing journeys continue.