DOZENS of South Ayrshire schoolkids had a hands-on experience at the Open after taking roles in litter-blitzing squads during the Championship.

The Advertiser Series spoke to teams including pupils from Marr College, Belmont Academy and Queen Margaret Academy, as the sun beat down during the first day of the event.

Anne Munro, Depute Head at Queen Margaret, told how a team from the Ayr school had been involved since 8am that morning and were taking their part in four hour shifts. 

Third year pupil Hamish Manson described the experience as “amazing” while fellow 15-year-old Katie Smith said: “It is a really great opportunity for people our age to be able to do something like this.”

Among a mixed group comprising kids from Marr College and Belmont Academy was Robbie Bell, 15, from Marr who was backing Rory McIlroy for the title. He said: “The fans have been very nice”. 

For a team from Marr College, Erin Mcindoe, Molly MacDougall and Chloe Collins and Rachel Bell, all from Troon, said seeing Bubba Watson on the course had been a highlight.

But Rachel admitted there was a touch of the surreal about seeing such a big event in their home town.

She said: “It is weird to see all this here. It doesn’t feel like Troon.”
South Ayrshire Council Leader Bill McIntosh said it had been important to involve local youngsters in such an important event coming to the area.

He said: “We wanted to involve young people too, to help promote the sport.

“In June, The Open Claret Jug trophy toured schools in Ayrshire with hundreds of young people coming face-to-face with the greatest prize in golf.

“In Troon we introduced a group of young people to the sport through a StreetGolf event, a fun take on the sport played on the beach and the esplanade

“Our long-term focus is to attract grassroots players to take up the sport, promote the amazing facilities on offer, and to develop a new generation to come through, that one day we might see competing at events like The Open”.

South Ayrshire Council’s currently investing £3.5 million in our golf portfolio, something that will be good for locals while also encouraging sports tourism.

We’re an area with a lot to offer and we’ll be looking to build on the momentum we’ve gained through this event to showcase South Ayrshire to a global audience in the months and years ahead.”