Last week, Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond was in St Andrews to announce an important new 10-year-deal for women's golf in Scotland — the Ricoh Women's British Open being hosted in the country on at least five occasions between 2011 and 2020.

During his visit, he also met some of SALJGA's young female members.

Later a Scottish Government spokeswoman stressed the Scottish Government's commitment to its national Junior Golf Strategy, clubgolf, in which it invests £500,000 a year through sportscotland.

"Thirty one out of 32 local authorities offer the introductory game 'firstclubgolf' to young people and 33,466 of P5 children experienced golf in school this year," she told the Citizen.

"Clubgolf has established a volunteer workforce of 1128 qualified coaches, now actively coaching young golfers. This year clubgolf coaching will also be delivered at 232 clubs across the country.

The Scottish Government welcomes the contribution of the St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association who deliver clubgolf in the St Andrews area.''

David Maiden, sports development services manager for Fife Council's Active Fife initiative, confirmed Fife's involvement in the national programme.

"This year we delivered firstclubgolf to 1232 P5 pupils from 33 schools across Fife," he told the Citizen. "The roll-out of the primary programme will continue this coming school year.

"We currently work with 12 clubs and the primary school programme will reflect where we have the contact with the clubs.

``Clubs are: Balbirnie, Ballingry, Burntisland, Canmore, Dunnikier, Elie Sports Club, Forrester Park, Glenrothes, Pitreavie, SALJGA, Scotscraig and Tulliallan.

``At present, this year, the number of children involved in these programmes has not been recorded, however there were 332 receiving coaching in clubgolf programmes last year within these clubs and I would guess that the numbers will be at least the same if not more for this year.

"St Andrews has a huge bonus with SALJGA which is a well-established link bridging the gap between school and the golf clubs and providing a tremendous amount of support and coaching for junior golf in the St Andrews area."