Talented young golfers at Carnoustie High School are being given dedicated time during the school week to develop their skills through a new partnership with Carnoustie Golf Links.
Carnoustie Golf Links has launched a new High Performance Golf Programme in partnership with Carnoustie High School, creating a structured pathway for talented young golfers to develop their game alongside their academic studies.
The programme went live on 31st August and has been developed for pupils who have demonstrated the talent and commitment to progress within the sport.
Selected pupils will receive weekly small-group coaching from the Carnoustie Golf Links PGA coaching team, with sessions delivered during designated periods of the school timetable.
As with all junior golf activities, Carnoustie Golf Links will cover the coaching costs associated with the programme, ensuring that families are not faced with an additional financial barrier to their children’s development.
Supporting the next generation
The initiative has been led by Keir McNicoll, Head PGA Professional at Carnoustie Golf Links and a former pupil of Carnoustie High School.
Keir has seen first-hand the opportunities that Carnoustie Golf Links can provide to young players, having started his own golfing career through opportunities provided by the Links. He went on to attend Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida, on a golf scholarship before returning to Scotland and pursuing a professional career. He was appointed Head PGA Professional at Carnoustie in 2019.
Keir said:
“We are incredibly excited to launch this programme and to offer talented young golfers from our community the opportunity to develop their game within the school week.
“Carnoustie Golf Links has already built a fantastic foundation and connection to our local community through The Carnoustie Craws Junior Golf Programme, and this is a natural next step for players who have the potential and commitment to progress further.
“We’re proud to be able to offer that level of opportunity without any cost to families. This programme puts golf on a par with other sports such as football, where our best young players are supported and can pursue their potential without added financial pressure on parents.
“The young players participating in the programme have already been with us for years through The Carnoustie Craws, so we know them and their families well. We believe they all have bright futures in the game and will embrace the challenges that come with pursuing their potential.”
The pupils taking part have already been involved with the Carnoustie Craws Junior Golf Programme, meaning the coaching team has been able to build on relationships established with the young players and their families over several years.
Developing talent alongside education
Carnoustie High School is supporting the programme as part of its commitment to helping pupils develop their wider talents while maintaining a strong focus on academic achievement.
Carnoustie High School’s Head Teacher, Sally Brown said:
“We are delighted to be working with Carnoustie Golf Links to support this exciting programme and provide our pupils with an opportunity to develop their talents in a structured environment, right here in the local community.
“Our pupils’ academic progress will always remain a priority, but we also recognise the importance of supporting them in developing their wider talents.
“We look forward to seeing how the programme develops and, most importantly, seeing our pupils benefit from the opportunities it provides.”
The programme has also received the backing of Scottish Golf, the national governing body for golf in Scotland.
Clare Queen, Head of Performance and Pathway at Scottish Golf, said:
“Scottish Golf is delighted to see this initiative begin at Carnoustie High School and recognises the excellent work already being delivered by Keir and the team at Carnoustie Golf Links.
“The programme provides an excellent opportunity for talented young golfers to develop both their performance and the wider life skills that come through structured sporting
participation.”
“We hope it creates positive outcomes for the pupils involved and provides valuable learning that could potentially be applied in other areas of Scotland in the future.”
Building on the Carnoustie Craws pathway
The High Performance Golf Programme forms part of Carnoustie Golf Links’ wider commitment to developing young people in the local community and creating a clear pathway from junior participation to high-performance golf.
The Carnoustie Craws provides free coaching and playing opportunities for local children, helping young golfers progress from learning the fundamentals of the game through to developing as aspiring junior golfers at performance level.
With hundreds of young golfers participating across its various programmes, the Craws has become an important part of the local golfing community.
The new High Performance Golf Programme represents the next step for young players who demonstrate the ability and commitment to progress further within the sport.
A pilot for the future
The first year of the programme will operate as a pilot, with Carnoustie Golf Links and Carnoustie High School working closely throughout the academic year to ensure the right balance is maintained between pupils’ academic commitments and their sporting development.
Supported by The R&A Foundation, the initiative forms part of Carnoustie Golf Links’ wider commitment to developing young people in the local community and creating a clear pathway from junior participation to high-performance golf.