A new series of four competitions, designed to encourage the area's children to take part in golf competitions, has been launched to run throughout the golf season at venues across Central Scotland this year.

Starting at Clackmannanshire's Muckhart Golf Club on 30 March, the Junior Flag Golf Series is the brain child of the national junior golf strategy, clubgolf, in partnership with Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, Stirling and West Lothian Councils, local golf clubs and Auchterlonies of St Andrews (Stirling branch).

Its aim is to encourage children who wouldn't normally have the opportunity to participate in golf competitions by providing high quality, regular events at their own level.

Although it is targeting pre-handicap juniors who are participating in clubgolf Stage 1 and Stage 2 coaching at the local golf clubs in Stirling, Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and West Lothian, there will also be a category for juniors with a recognised golf handicap.

Each event will run in the form of a par 3 flag competition, with three categories based on ability. Local authority staff will organise the events with support from the host golf club and volunteers from other golf clubs.

Auchterlonies of St Andrews Golf Shop (Stirling branch) have kindly agreed to sponsor the 2008 Junior Flag Golf Series and will provide prizes in each category.   Every child who takes part will also receive a memento to mark their participation. 

Alongside the competitions, it is hoped that a national squad golfer will attend each event to provide coaching clinics throughout the day.

2008 Junior Flag Golf Series Dates and venues:

March 30th - Clackmannanshire (Muckhart Golf Club) Contact - Ryan Martin, Sports Development Officer, Clackmannanshire Council on 01259 222355

June 15th - Falkirk (Callendar Park Par 3) Contact - Alistair Mitchell, Sports Development Officer, Falkirk Council on 01324 506938

September 7th - West Lothian (Binny Golf Course) Contact - Matt Costello, Active Schools Co-ordinator, West Lothian Council on 01506 881461

Its aim is to encourage children who wouldn't normally have the opportunity to participate in golf competitions by providing high quality, regular events at their own level.

Although it is targeting pre-handicap juniors who are participating in clubgolf Stage 1 and Stage 2 coaching at the local golf clubs in Stirling, Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and West Lothian, there will also be a category for juniors with a recognised golf handicap.

Each event will run in the form of a par 3 flag competition, with three categories based on ability. Local authority staff will organise the events with support from the host golf club and volunteers from other golf clubs.

Auchterlonies of St Andrews Golf Shop (Stirling branch) have kindly agreed to sponsor the 2008 Junior Flag Golf Series and will provide prizes in each category.   Every child who takes part will also receive a memento to mark their participation. 

Alongside the competitions, it is hoped that a national squad golfer will attend each event to provide coaching clinics throughout the day.

2008 Junior Flag Golf Series Dates and venues:

March 30th - Clackmannanshire (Muckhart Golf Club) Contact - Ryan Martin, Sports Development Officer, Clackmannanshire Council on 01259 222355

June 15th - Falkirk (Callendar Park Par 3) Contact - Alistair Mitchell, Sports Development Officer, Falkirk Council on 01324 506938

September 7th - West Lothian (Binny Golf Course) Contact - Matt Costello, Active Schools Co-ordinator, West Lothian Council on 01506 881461

October 5th - Stirling (Airthrey Golf Course, University of Stirling) Contact - Active Stirling Sports Development on 01786 432323