After the Olympics, many of us are feeling that we ought to get more active, whatever the weather, and whatever our level of expertise. And there’s a sports venue on the outskirts of Stirling that prides itself on making just that happen. Brucefields Family Golf Centre are this month’s Local Heroes, and we spoke to Managing Director Kirsty Burge to find out more.
Beautifully kept greens at Brucefields Family Golf Centre
Enjoy views of the Ochils as you tee off
When asked to explain a little bit about Brucefields, Kirsty’s emphasis is on inclusion. It’s something not always associated with golf: ‘We give everyone the chance to play golf, whether you’re a child, a beginner, disabled, or a professional perfecting your skills; we have it all covered at the centre! Nor do you need to be paying large membership fees. Here, you can pay and play and enjoy the game to suit your lifestyle’.
Kirsty’s father, John Souter, designed and built the golf courses and driving range at Brucefields. So the golf centre, with views across to the Wallace Monument and the Ochils, has always been familiar to her. Shortly after Tulloch Homes purchased the company in 2004, Kirsty was asked to come and run Brucefields. There’s a definite sense of homecoming in her position there. Her small and close-knit team consists of Garry Shaw (Course Manager) Debbie Crawford (Reception Manager) and Christine Frost (Admin Manager). In addition, there are many other busy people behind the scenes who – Kirsty insists – are the key to the golf centre’s success.
And what a summer it’s been for Brucefields. Opened 20 years ago, they celebrated their birthday with a Family Fun Day on 11 June. This was quickly followed by six weeks of kids’ camps. Filled to capacity, these are taken by full-time golf professional Gregor Monks. ‘It’s such a fun thing to watch kids growing up with golf in their lives,’ observes Kirsty. The centre then hosted a regional final of The Wee Wonders, where children from 5-12 years old compete to the highest standards before going on to the finals in St. Andrews. ‘It was a real privilege to host this at Brucefields before moving on to a world-class golf course.’
And has there been an ‘Olympics effect’ on footfall at the centre? ‘We always love events such as the golf featuring in the Olympics – how can Justin Rose lifting the gold medal fail to inspire people? We always compare it to how Wimbledon brings out everyone wanting to lift a tennis racket; the likes of The Open and the upcoming Ryder Cup creates the same sort of buzz right here. People want to come and try golf for the first time or dust off their clubs!’
But not only does Brucefields cater for those who want to try out or revisit the sport, the centre has its regulars too, many of whom have been season ticket holders for many years, and those who use the range and teaching facilities to perfect their skills ever further. There is definitely a place for both ‘fun golf’ and ‘serious golf’ here. It’s a balance that other places can find difficult to achieve. And within its relaxed atmosphere, Brucefields is nurturing its fair share of champions in the making. ‘We are incredibly proud of many of our young golfers: Ewen Ferguson, coached by Gregor Monks, is the Scottish Amateur Golfer of the Year 2015, while Ben Wilson – at the age of 7 – has picked up many trophies in local junior tournaments.’
‘We are extremely grateful for everyone that supports Brucefields,’ says Kirsty, ‘and we just hope that we can continue to provide a well-rounded place where the whole family can come and enjoy golf.’
- If you want to find out more about Brucefields, see their website: http://www.brucefields.co.uk/
- Keep up to date with them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brucefields-Family-Golf-Centre-115192741838952/