Palacerigg shortlisted for clubgolf Junior Award - again!

Organised by Scotland's national junior programme clubgolf and the Scottish Golf Union, the Awards recognise clubs that have demonstrated excellence in promoting junior golf during 2009.

Following anevaluation by clubgolf's judging panel the final seven clubs are Eyemouth, Gullane GC, McDonald GC, Orkney GC, Palacerigg GC, Powfoot GC and Royal Montrose GC.

All seven clubs have demonstrated enormous commitment to developing their junior sections. All have adopted clubgolf programmes. Emerging out of Scotland's successful bid to host the Ryder Cup, clubgolf is a partnership between the Scottish Golf Union, the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association, the Professional Golfers' Association, the Golf Foundation and sportscotland.

The winner will be announced at The Old Course, St Andrews, on Wednesday, July 14, the final practice day for the Open Championship.

The SGU will award the winning club 1000, to be invested in its junior programme. It will also be invited to put forward a team of three adult members to play in a European Tour pro-am. The six runners-up will each receive 300 to develop their junior programmes.

Palacerigg, a finalists in the Junior Club of the Year Awards in 2009 had another highly successful year.

A grant from North Lanarkshire Council enabled it to invest in more equipment and train four more volunteer coaches.

To accommodate more juniors they increased their coaching from once to twice a week. Two new sections were added to the junior membership. As a direct result their junior membership rose from 42 to 60 in one season.

Blue tees were added to the course and more competitions were laid on. With performance levels improving, 17 juniors attended North Lanarkshire golf squad selection

The club has continued to forging links with Active Schools Co-ordinators and local schools, organising come and try days for primary and giving taster sessions in secondaries.