How one coach reached 20,000 young people in Scotland
“It’s about giving kids the gift of golf and helping them belong to clubs. If we don’t grow the game, we don’t have golf’s future”
PGA professional James Erskine was recognised at the 2025 President’s Awards with the prestigious Sir Henry Cotton Award for outstanding service to junior golf.
Based at Dumfries & County, James has devoted two decades to growing the game across southwest Scotland, coaching more than 10,000 children and creating a new academy facility with a 4-bay range and 4-hole short course.
Reflecting on his journey, James told Golf Foundation President Nick Dougherty: “I grew up in a sparse area with poor facilities and little coaching. I made it my mission to change that. Over the last 20 years, I’ve delivered coaching at 23 of 24 local clubs, and seeing kids now play the game – that’s the greatest reward.”
James’ efforts have helped produce national champions and more than 20 PGA professionals, but his philosophy remains rooted in grassroots growth.
“It’s not about the tour players,” he explains. “It’s about giving kids the gift of golf and helping them belong to clubs. If we don’t grow the game, we don’t have golf’s future.” His award cements his reputation as one of the UK’s most passionate advocates for grassroots development.
Tim Morrison, who nominated James for the Golf Foundation’s award in 2025, has known him for more than 15 years, and picks up the story with more detail on his background.
“I first met James Erskine when I was chairman of the Stanley Morrison Charitable Trust, and we arranged a meeting to discuss the opportunities that might exist by establishing a junior golf tournament at Portpatrick Dunskey, whereJames was currently the resident professional. As a result, the Stanley Morrison Charitable Trust Team Championship was established, and with James’ dynamism, personality and determination, juniors were attracted from the south, west and central belt of Scotland. Over the years the tournament has attracted more than 1,000 juniors, becoming an essential fixture in the development pathway for young golfers in southwest Scotland.
“In 2014, James transitioned to a new role at Dumfries & County, the club that he had joined recently. However, this new challenge presented significant obstacles, including poor facilities, limited connections with local schools and a general lack of support for junior development. Undeterred, James employed some creative solutions. These innovative efforts helped generate momentum and sustain the growth of junior golf in the area, with 115 juniors attending indoor coaching funded through the Stanley Morrison Trust.
“A major challenge in junior golf development has been the lack of investment from Scottish Golf in regional pathways. Between 2020-24, James’ continued efforts led to the delivery of coaching to over 3,500 children in schools via the Children’s Golf Trust. This increased exposure translated into a surge in junior membership and the creation of an affordable coaching model that made golf more accessible to young people across the region.
“In late 2023, James made a presentation to the trustees promoting the creation of a state-of-the-art academy at Dumfries & County, with advanced facilities for young golfers, and providing a long-term base for developing top talent. The trust was pleased to support the concept financially. What impressed the trustees was that James strongly believed that a strong engagement with schools was key to overcoming historical challenges hindering the growth of junior golf. By embedding golf coaching into the school curriculum and partnering with local schools, he emphasised that golf in schools is essential for the sport’s survival and long-term growth.
“It was therefore with great delight that in March 2025 the newly opened facility at Dumfries and Galloway, which includes a 4-bay range, 4-hole academy course and short game area, was officially opened by Stephen Gallagher and myself as chairman of the Stanley Morrison Trust.
“The event was covered by the Scotsman, and I quote their coverage – ‘with James Erskine, the club professional as its driving force, this exciting project had been in the pipeline for a few years and has been made possible by private investment and sponsorship’. This development has been a long time coming, over the past seven years, his staff has delivered free coaching to over 4,000 juniors in the region.
The concept of this facility will help nurture young golfers and potential future members.”
