ROYAL TARLAIR Golf Club has a new initiative to try and increase participation and membership for its junior section.

A club spokesman said: "With the Ryder Cup coming to Gleneagles in 2014 and the heightened media that is likely to come with the event, the club thinks that the timing is right to encourage youngsters into the sport.

"Golf can be both fun and competitive and is an activity which promotes health and fitness. The youngsters of today are the next generation of adults, and without a junior section comprising boys and girls the future is bleak.

"Clubgolf has a captive audience in our local primary school, so the youngsters are already there. We need to be in a position to nurture their talent. Royal Tarlair intends to involve them more by introducing new competitions for all levels of participants, and a coaching structure involving Myrus Driving Range PGA professional James Calam.

"We are fortunate to have the Myrus Driving Range on our doorstep with its computer-controlled training facility and training bay, and, as James already works with many of the top up-and-coming youngsters in the area, we have a great opportunity to foster the game at Royal Tarlair."