As with all things in life, it’s all about people. And for us we’re eternally grateful to Russell Smith General Manager at Golf IT! alongside the wonderful Alyson Mckechin PGA pro/Head of Golf. Together they’ve been pivotal in helping us set up our brand-new supported golf session at the flagship Golf IT! in the north east of Glasgow which opened its doors to the public on August 5th 2023.
It’s all about people!
Our relationship with Alyson goes back a wee bit further than this however. We had the pleasure of working with her when she was based at Stirling Golf Club as PGA professional. Every Monday afternoon alongside the rest of the amazing staff and members at Stirling, she would welcome our golf activator, golf buddies and our golfers and make our group feel so welcome.
It was clear that she understood what we were all about – helping people who experience the challenges of later living stay healthy, happy and supported through golf whilst giving unpaid carers some well-earned respite from their caring role.
Now that we’re both at Golf IT!, we’re using that recipe for success in the same way as we did at Stirling Golf Club.
Golf is for everyone
Golf IT! is community driven, and at its core it’s designed to make golf more accessible and more inclusive to people of all ages and stages in life, whether they’ve played before or not. This vision fits so well with our ethos – to help develop golf venues as environments that nurture health and wellbeing for everyone, especially our seniors.
Pulling together
For the last year, Operations and Development Coordinator Maggie McKay and Golf Activator Willie Burns have been working with Russell and Alyson to tailor our age friendly golf session which have now just started. We’re excited about reaching out to develop links with families who live with challenges of later living and people who support them.
Something for everyone
We’ll be taking advantage of the range of facilities Golf IT! have on offer, adapting our activities to meet the needs of the those attending.
We’ll be taking advantage of the beautiful 9-hole course for more ambulant people who enjoy a walk, we’ll be practicing our short game on the putting area and we’ll also be able to enjoy something different using the paddle golf and the crazy golf areas.
If the weather is bad our groups will take advantage of the 6 bay driving range and if it’s cold, we’ll set up our indoor golfing challenges created by our amazing Willie Burns.
Working with communities
“Thank you so much for Monday, everyone had a blast, they’ve all been raving about it and proudly displaying their certificates”
Staff at Pacific Care Home
On 28th August our first group got up and running, and we were so excited to welcome staff and residents from Pacific Care. Every Monday afternoon residents from their care home and day centre will be joining us.
We’re on the lookout for people to join us on a Monday morning
Our Monday 11am – 1pm sessions will welcome individual families/golfers who would like to join us. Do you know anyone who’d like to return to golf with a bit extra support, or maybe someone facing challenges in later life who’d like to give it a go for the first time?
If so email us at info@golfinsociety.com or call Willie Burn on 07798648211