King James VI Golf Club has encouraged ladies during the Covid pandemic to give golf a go. What a success this has been. Moira Lumby, long term Club Member spearheaded this initiative and is delighted to see the upsurge in interest. “Playing golf is one of the sports which has seen a real increase during Covid restrictions. We have provided a great opportunity for ladies to come and enjoy the sport and social aspects of the Club”.
Located on Moncrieffe Island in the centre of Perth, the
Club has just finished its second round of “Get into Golf” sessions which is aimed
at encouraging more females to take up the game. Like many other clubs around
the country, the ‘Island’ had a reducing number of females playing at the club and
average age rising. Such has been the success of the Get into Golf, the ladies
section has almost doubled in size since the start of July, with many younger
ladies picking up the game.
Local professional golfer Wallace Booth provided weekly coaching
and got the ladies out hitting golf balls. Lots of additional support has been
provided by Moira and other members to give the ladies opportunities to practise
the skills they were learning and learn a bit about the etiquette of the game.
King James is well known for being a sociable, friendly
club so it made sense to members to include a social element to the new ladies’
experience. The ladies’ annual outing at the beginning of August was cancelled
due to the pandemic so the ladies opted to have an ‘outing’ on the island instead.
A fun filled day was organised, which included the Get into Golf ladies who had
just finished their first set of lessons. Regular opportunities have followed,
with one of the favourites being the ‘Pitch, Putt and Prosecco’ theme.
Susan
Morrison, a local primary teacher, said ‘I could not
speak highly enough of the support and encouragement offered by members, who
have given so much of their own time over the summer to accompany us out on the
course and have welcomed us socially into the Club. The ethos of the club has
been incredibly warm and welcoming, and beginners have felt encouraged every
step of the way, no matter how small those steps! It has been a privilege to
walk around such a beautiful course twice a week and to meet so many lovely
people along the way! I would definitely recommend the club as one in which
everyone is made to feel very welcome, no matter what the standard of their
golf and as a club with a relaxed vibe and very sociable, with plenty of energy
and humour.’
Moira Lumby would
like to see more ladies take up the sport and enjoy the physical and mental
health benefits of golf on the island ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the
new ladies improve their skills and confidence. We have all had such great fun
and many new friendships have been formed. Moving forward we are continuing to
play regularly and throughout the winter season. We have set up a Winter League
for them so that they can measure their improvement on individual holes. We are
making plans already for next Spring’s group lessons for both intermediate and beginners
level with good interest already.’
King James VI
Club Captain, David Angus is delighted to welcome more lady members “Golf is a
game for anyone to enjoy. We have been promoting equality and diversity and the
Ladies Get into Golf is a great example. Our unique inland island setting, just
a short walk from the centre of Perth, provides a wonderful location to learn
and play golf and as always a warm King Jimmy welcome awaits in the clubhouse”.
If you are
interested in getting into golf, get in touch with the club www.kingjames.co.uk
or call us 01738 632460.
