Sportscotland has increased investment in Scottish golf with over £1,047,160 being made available to continue the development of clubgolf, add support to the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association (SLGA) and further invest in the partnership with the Scottish Golf Union (SGU).

Sports Minister Shona Robison said: “In the year of Homecoming and in the wake of the successful return of the Open Championship to Turnberry, I am delighted that more than a million pounds will be invested for the development of golf in Scotland.

“Golf is a big part of our culture, our identity and our economy and this is a great time for the game in Scotland.  Last week, while at Turnberry, the First Minister announced that a record number of boys and girls have been introduced to clubgolf, our National Junior Golf Programme.”

Announcing the funding Louise Martin CBE, Chair, sportscotland said: “Today we celebrate the successes of our young golfers and can see first hand the golfing talent that Scotland has to offer.

“Our focus now is to build on these foundations and to ensure that Scotland further develops its reputation as a golfing nation.  That is why sportscotland works closely with the Scottish Golf Union and Scottish Ladies Golfing Association to identify how our investment and support can really make a difference.”

Andy Salmon, Scottish Golf Development Manager, whose post is part-funded through sportscotland, welcomed the investment: “This combination of government and lottery funding demonstrates the importance of golf to Scotland, not just as a sport but as part of the national culture. It will allow us to build on some very notable recent successes and continue to build for the future.

“Our national coaches have enjoyed tremendous success of late and our work to introduce golf to every child through clubgolf has produced some really world class outcomes. Allied to this, the investment allows us to focus on supporting our clubs without which there would be no golf industry”