EVERYONE from compete beginners to professional golfers are welcome to enjoy the facilities at Mearns Castle Golf Academy.
European Tour players Alastair Forsyth, Marc Warren and Steven O’Hara all visit the top-class golf facility to work on their game. The centre lies just outside Glasgow in Newton Mearns and, according to European Tour event winner Alastair Forsyth, it boasts “everything your game needs under one roof”.
The Academy first opened in 2002 and since 2004 has been owned by keen golfer and well-known businessman, Satty Singh. Its extensive facilities – which include a floodlit driving range; USGA specification greens and practice areas; Huxley all-weather putting green; and teaching suites with computerized analysis – mean that it is one of the best coaching facilities in the UK.
Since taking ownership in 2004, Satty Singh and general manager Colin McEwan have turned Mearns Castle into a nationally recognized centre of excellence that plays a big part in the community it serves.
There has been a significant investment in the multi-million pound venue with some £600,000 being committed to facilities and general improvements over the past four years. As a direct result of its Kids at the Castle coaching programme and in support of the Golf in the Community initiative, the Academy is being extended to include a stand- alone coaching area housing a further 12 bays, at a cost of around £150,000.
General Manager Colin McEwan said: “Over the last four years we have invested the best part of three-quarters of a million pounds in improving and upgrading facilities and launching programmes that are aimed at trying to develop the game of golf as well as kids’ activity levels.
“The Academy caters for all levels of golfer and enables complete beginners to start playing though our tailored coaching programmes, practice their skills and enjoy the game on our challenging nine-hole course as well as the opportunity to gain a handicap and participate in regular competitions.”
As well as attracting over 10,000 registered customers and over 200 members of its Mearns Castle Golf Club, the Academy is also doing all it can to make the sport accessible to all ages by launching Golf in the Community.
This initiative aims to provide opportunities for all children to participate in golf by reducing and often removing financial barriers through funding and sponsorship and to date through this initiative the Academy has contributed over £500,000 in kind towards free and discounted golf.
Mearns Castle Golf Academy – which is dubbed the Home of Tuition – has also established the East Renfrewshire Schools Golf Club in conjunction with East Renfrewshire Council. The project aimed at young golfers of secondary school age is the first of its kind in the UK.
For children playing nine holes, the cost is just £8 (£10 at weekends) and during the school holidays, Mearns Castle Golf Academy will be running summer schools.
