As the world’s greatest golfers gather at Carnoustie for The Open Championship, schoolchildren from the Granite City will be receiving expert tuition in their own back yard.
Youngsters from across Aberdeen are being given the chance to be healthy and active over the summer holidays as the University of Aberdeen runs its popular Children's Sports School.
The packed programme of events includes trampolining, swimming, football, lacrosse, golf and basketball and is aimed at children aged from five to fourteen years old.
This summer the University has invited three of the North-East's top golfers – Jordan Finlay, Philip McLean and James Byrne – to come along and meet the children in a special coaching session. Jordan, a former British Boys Champion, and Philip are both supported by the Scottish Institute of Sport. They are also coached by Neil Marr, who now teaches former Open Champion Paul Lawrie, the last European, or Scot, to win a major championship.
Jordan is presently on a golf scholarship at East Tennessee University while Philip is a full time golfer in the North-east. James, a Grampian Institute of Sport athlete, is also coached by Neil Marr, and currently in the European Golf Association Men's Amateur top 20. He will soon embark on a golf scholarship at Arizona State University.
The University has again offered eight free places on the programme to local children from Causewayend Primary, Kittybrewster Primary, Sunnybank Primary and St Machar Academy.
Jan Griffiths, Sports Development Manager, Sport and Recreation Services, said by offering free places to local schools the University hoped to forge even stronger links with the local community. "By linking up with local schools we hope to create a greater collaborative approach involving schools to enhance sports provision for children."