JUNIOR PRO-AM AT THE GAILES GOLF: LEISURE

May 21, 2016

Local children from around Ayrshire participated in the inaugural Mini Junior Pro-Am and The Gailes Golf: Leisure ahead of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open.

The 15 young golfers, who were selected from over 200 juniors who regularly take lessons as part of The Gailes ‘Juniors Do Golf’ programme, played with LET professionals Lydia Hall, Laura Murray, Vikki Laing, Becky Brewerton and Noemi Jimenez Martin. They then received a special visit from Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon with high fives all round.

The winners were Ewan Baird, Louise Milligan, Caitlin Milligan and their Scottish LET professional Vikki Laing, who all received prizes from Golphin.

Organiser and PGA Professional Craig Thomas commented: “We organised the event as an opportunity for local children to integrate and meet some great players, be inspired by them and use the opportunity of having a great women’s tournament here to help the community.”

“It was really fun and I learnt a lot of skills about how lady professional golfers play their shots and how they set up to take their shots.”

Golf professional Eddie Thompson from The Gailes added: “This is fantastic for the juniors. They were so excited and absolutely loved it.”

Pro-Am winner Caitlin, aged 11, said: “It was really fun and I learnt a lot of skills about how lady professional golfers play their shots and how they set up to take their shots.”

Her grandmother, Patrice Milligan, commented: “I think it’s good to have role models who can show the children what to do and inspire them to become professional golfers. She really enjoyed it and it’s been great for all the kids.”

The juniors were also invited to participate in a coaching clinic during the first round of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links.