Portobello Golf Course V Dog Walkers

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 30 Dec 2008, 16:02

admin: split from PHS thread.

seanie wrote:Putting forward alternatives is a way of giving the impression of genuine concern about replacing PHS, even thought the silliness of the actual suggestions reveals the indifference in reality.

Agreed- this subject was discussed at the Evening News comments section team night out

On a slightly different subject- how good would something like this be at Portobello Golf Course? Surely 150+ Years and still no junior section is long enough?

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/edinb ... 4830002.jp

Clifton Hall's headmaster Rod Grant is excited to be able to offer this course at his school.

He said: "This is a community golf project unlike anything else in the UK.

"We want it to be open to all children under the age of 16 for free, with automatic access regardless of money.

"What we are trying to do is get kids involved in golf, loving the game, understanding the etiquette and most importantly, enjoying the game.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 30 Dec 2008, 17:04

I certainly believe that the new school will offer a fantastic opportunity for Portobello Golf Club to recruit new young members. Let's remember that the Golf Course is a municipal facility for all members of the community to enjoy. I see no reason why golf can't be incorporated into school sports lessons and in fact it would seem stupid not to do so, given the proximity of the course.

Far from opposing a school in the park, forward-thinking golfers should welcome this as a means of rejuvenating their club and securing its future.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 30 Dec 2008, 19:59

I agree that it would be good to include golf in the PE curriculum but I don't see the golf club members getting involved. It is not a competitive or even proper club- its mainly a facility for casual golfers who like a game now and again. That's not a critisicm just a fact. A private club may have given up some pro time to help nurture juniors but pgc would not have the resources. Probably a lot to do with why there is no junior club.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 30 Dec 2008, 20:24

If it were to be included in the curriculum then I guess it would have to be with the agreement and cooperation of Edinburgh Leisure, but I would hope and expect them to be very supportive of the idea.

As for a junior section, I suppose it's partly a question of supply and demand. They may not have been encouraged much thus far to play, but if a whole bunch of kids suddenly take an interest in golf after 2014 then I would expect that demand to be catered for. Some current members may not be that keen on sharing the facility with teenagers, but as I said, it's a public course and open to all members of the community.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 30 Dec 2008, 20:48

Can't argue with any of that. A natural comparison would be with the swinning baths. Schools use them for free and whilst there is a portobello swimming club that's been around for a very long time, the members don't have any ownership or privileges.but they do do fantastic work with youngsters- there could indeed be a synergy with pgc!

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 30 Dec 2008, 20:55

I think it would be a real waste not to take advantage of an adjacent golf course. Personally I cannot stand golf but ultimately if it gives people a hobby that they can take into later life then that is a great result. A 4 mile walk when you are 70 years old is cool!

PS - Would you believe they even teach golf at Towerbank - not on a course or even grass - they use the the concrete playground.

seanie · Post by **seanie** » 30 Dec 2008, 21:22

Bob Jefferson wrote:If it were to be included in the curriculum then I guess it would have to be with the agreement and cooperation of Edinburgh Leisure...

I thought it was now agreed that th golf-course was on Common Good land? Can't see what justification there could possibly be for not allowing the pupils access to what belongs to them just as much as any other member of the public.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 30 Dec 2008, 21:36

Absolutely, the kids are as entitled to use it as anyone else. It may take a bit of organising to provide something that is timetabled and structured but I'm quite that sure that PHS and Edinburgh Leisure can work it out between them.

And it is very much in the Golf Club's interests that this should happen. A well-used course would be seen as an asset to the community and its future safeguarded.

seanie · Post by **seanie** » 30 Dec 2008, 21:45

Assuming that a golf-course is compatabile with the new Common Good status of the land. I suppose it probably would be but it is a question that now presents itself.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 30 Dec 2008, 22:14

Pal of Porty wrote:
PS - Would you believe they even teach golf at Towerbank - not on a course or even grass - they use the the concrete playground.

They teach it at St John's too PoP. They use the dining/gym hall.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 31 Dec 2008, 18:16

Right enough Marya. I'm surprised the SJPC didn't use the fact that the kids existing golf amenities would be retained in a refurbished school.

And one more point about Golf Courses and Secondary Schools that has so far gone unmentioned. Duddingston Golf Course is in part bordered by Holyrood High School- its pupils access the school using a lane that subjugates the course. As far as I am aware, apart from the occasional incident, the course and school co-exist quite happily. It is not a major issue.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 31 Dec 2008, 18:33

The Council site advertises a Junior Golf Club section on Portobello course. I would post a link but I do not know how.

We could make golf compulsory for the first 10 weeks of S1 school. After that we could coach the good ones, let the 'for fun players' have fun then make the rest do 10 weeks of something else to see what they are good at!

Table topping Olympic table and healthy kids or what!

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 31 Dec 2008, 18:48

Edinburgh Leisure website wrote:Golf

The Junior Golf Club

No grown ups telling you what to do. No fuddy duddies spoiling your fun. In fact, no adults at all.

At our new Junior Golf Club, only 8-17 year olds can join. For just £55 a year you can play unlimited golf at Portobello Golf Course all year round with nothing extra to pay. What’s more, as a member of the club, you can play in regular competitions, win great prizes, meet new friends and generally have a great time.

The Junior Golf Club. The least boring golf club ever.

Contact details

Club Secretary: 0131 652 2178

Portobello Golf Course: 0131 669 4361

Email: colinhutchison@edinburghleisure.co.uk

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 31 Dec 2008, 18:52

Great idea. We could also use the golf lessons to teach social skills that will come in handy in later life. Instead of multi-coloured pringle jumpers, the kids could wear devil horns, fishnet stockings and lewd t shirts. Ideal preparation for hen and stag nights. We could turn it into modules and make a standard grade out of it.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 31 Dec 2008, 19:03

Edinburgh Leisure website wrote:The Junior Golf Club. The least boring golf club ever.

fantastic strap line! Least boring is the furthest one can go without falling foul of the trades description act!

Franck · Post by **Franck** » 06 Jan 2009, 10:52

Whatever happened to the hay cup? It was a regular annual tournament for us junior golfers of Porty.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 06 Jan 2009, 16:33

I've never heard of it. When were you last aware of it being played?

I'm not a big golf fan but it would be good to see PGC reinvigorated.

Franck · Post by **Franck** » 06 Jan 2009, 17:15

Porty wrote:I've never heard of it. When were you last aware of it being played?

I'm not a big golf fan but it would be good to see PGC reinvigorated.

A while ago tbh.I played in it during my teenage years so it's 20 years since I participated, but I'd be surprised and dissapointed if it's been that length of time since it's been contested.

As a wee aside, the greenkeepers at Porty have done a fantastic job of shaping and maturing the course over the last few years ( since they dug up the 1st for the muckle underground tank) I rarely play there anymore but it's improved vastly since my first experience 25 years past.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 07 Jan 2009, 00:01

I don't know enough about golf to comment on how the course plays but it most definitely looks better than it has ever looked. Must be 20 years since I played golf there, maybe even 30.