Driving bay at Thurso will help junior development programme and be available to the wider community.

A NEW indoor training facility bearing his name was formally opened at Thurso Golf Club on Saturday by David Lyall, past captain of the club.

The Pro-Drive Portable Driving Bay provided by clubgolf, the organisation that drives the national junior development programme was initially "tested" at Thurso Golf Club. It proved to be such a success the club decided to make it a permanent feature.

One of the reasons for selecting Thurso as a test bed for the bay was that it would be subject to demanding weather conditions. This certainly proved to be the case, within a few weeks of its arrival, the bay was shifted about three metres by a typical Caithness wind, and had to be relocated to a more sheltered position.

Despite the initial weather problems, the bay proved very popular with club members of all ages and its benefits for golf coaching were obvious. It was clear such a facility would be a valuable permanent feature at the club, but it could not be accommodated in the budget so additional funding was required.

The indoor coaching facility fitted into the Highland 2007 Caithness Community Programme and Highland 2007 became a major funder. This allowed the club to seek further funding from Awards For All and SportScotland - so the dream has become a reality.

The facility, an extension of the greens equipment store, has a floor area of 100 square metres. It was constructed by local company CG Construction. Netting and playing mats were supplied and installed by Wick firm Hunters Promotions and the flooring by another local company, A & D Mackay. Inverness firm Acorn Signs supplied internal and external signs.

At the opening ceremony on Saturday, attended by representatives of Highland 2007 and clubgolf together with invited guests and club members, Thurso Golf Club captain John Owens complimented his predecessor for all his efforts in achieving such a wonderful addition to Thurso Golf Club and said the facility would be available to the community at large. David Lyall thanked the captain and committee for honouring him by giving the facility his name and went on to thank all of the many people who helped him to complete the project on time and to budget.

Fiona Hampton, director of Highland 2007, said: "Highland 2007 is delighted to support this excellent facility at Thurso Golf Club.

"I’m sure it will be well used and I hope the additional coaching will help players of all ages continue to reap the benefits of this hugely enjoyable sport."

Willie Mackay, clubgolf Highland manager, sees the facility as a major cog in the junior development programme. "This project leaves a visible legacy which represents the Highland 2007, clubgolf and Thurso Golf Club partnership," he said. "It will benefit the whole junior golfing community of Caithness due to the welcoming attitude of Thurso Golf Club and the way in which all golf clubs work together under the Caithness and North Sutherland Junior Golf Partnership."

His colleague Martin Bowie, clubgolf facilities manager, added: "The project is a fantastic example of what the clubgolf facilities programme is promoting across the country and what can be achieved through good partnership working and hard work on everyone’s behalf. The indoor facility forms part of a facilities programme that has generated the provision of over 50 new facilities, with an associated capital investment of £1.6m and £3.5m overall capital cost, and is currently providing advice on 50-plus projects at the development stage."

An Awards For All spokesperson said: "This is a wonderful community project that is truly deserving of Lottery money. The great thing about Awards For All is that it shows how a small amount of money can make the biggest difference and help bring people together."
The president of Thurso Golf Club, local MP John Thurso, complimented the club on achieving such a superb facility that would undoubtedly benefit those responsible for those coaching the game of golf.