A DRIVE to attract more youngsters onto the fairways and greens at Selkirk is now in full swing.

On Sunday the town's golf club officially opened its new three-bay practice nets.

And, along with addition of several newly qualified coaches and a junior convener in Alasdair Scott, it is hoped that pitching and putting will become the latest craze with school pupils.

Selkirk Golf Club captain Jackson Cockburn told us: "We hope that having the new practice nets will encourage more and more youngsters to take up golf.

"We also have Alasdair on board to help promote the youths sections.

"We want to see players from as young as seven or eight up at the club and taking advantage of the new nets and coaching."

Despite producing several regional youth champions in the past, Selkirk's junior membership has dropped to single figures in recent years.

As part of the push to reverse the trend former captain Rodney Pow laid down the foundations for creating the new practice nets next to the car park.

And it was the former rugby coach who was given the honour of hitting the first ball on Sunday during the opening ceremony.

Jackson added: "The practice nets are a great facility for players of all ages to improve their game."