It seems that Alyson McKechin and Golf It! are, well, the perfect fit. The Golf It! in question is The R&A’s brand new community-driven facility which will open its doors in June.
A multi-million pound investment has transformed Lethamhill, the old municipal golf course in the north east of Glasgow, into a trail-blazing, state-of-the-art centre aimed at making the game more inclusive and accessible.
That, of course, is where PGA pro McKechin comes in. “This was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down,” said the Scot of the chance to be involved in a pioneering establishment that features a nine-hole course, a double-decker driving range, adventure golf, nature trails and padel tennis courts among its abundant activities and attractions.
McKechin was taken on board as The R&A’s community and education activator last year and she wasted no time in using her enthusiasm, expertise and experience to spread the golfing gospel.
Since September, McKechin, a former Scottish Women’s Amateur champion who had a stint on the Ladies European Tour after joining the paid ranks, has been taking the Golf It! brand into local schools and some 2,500 children have been given taster sessions, curricular sessions and after-school sessions. The plan is to deliver golf lessons to over 42,500 pupils over the next five years.
We are trying to create a pathway from schools to Golf It! and giving kids in this area who have never played golf the chance to do so.
- Alyson McKechin - PGA Professional
The visions of both Golf It! and McKechin are so ideally matched, they could’ve been custom-fitted in a PGA pro shop. “When I saw the Golf It! blueprint, it was right up my street,” added McKechin, who built up an impressive junior coaching portfolio in her previous post at Stirling Golf Club. “Trying to make golf more accessible, affordable and inclusive is what I’ve been trying to promote my entire working career. I jumped at the chance to be involved.
“It’s been so exciting. We are trying to create a pathway from schools to Golf It! and giving kids in this area who have never played golf the chance to do so. Golf can be an expensive sport to get into. In today’s climate it’s difficult to spend over £1,000 on a set of golf clubs. Almost every school has football and basketball, but to give the children something they haven’t tried before is brilliant.
“One of the things that everybody receives is a Golf It! schools membership. We can then track how many come from each school.”
Golf It!, of course, is not just for the young ‘uns. It’s an all-embracing facility for every walk of life.
“I guarantee that in this community there will be adults who would love to play but maybe don’t know where to start and are hindered by finances,” noted McKechin. “The free equipment available will be massive. It’s about breaking down some old barriers. It’s the same with the school children. We would hate to introduce someone to golf who has great potential but, for whatever reason, can’t develop that talent. With this facility, we have a unique opportunity to introduce so many people to the game”
With the pride and passion that comes with being a PGA pro, McKechin is certainly going for it with Golf It!
