Junior Golf Scotland

Interview – Tour director

gregg sommerville

This is the first in a series of interviews that we will carry out with people in various positions within the golf industry this season.

What is your job?

My day job is running Playsport Golf in East Kilbride, I also run Junior Golf Scotland and I am a Trainee PGA Professional

how long have you worked in the golf industry?

I started my career in the golf industry when I was 15 years old (22 years ago now) as a ball collector at Mearns Castle Golf Academy in Newton Mearns.

What jobs have you had in golf?

I have covered a fair few!

  • Ball Collector
  • Range reception staff
  • Range management
  • Self employed marketing contractor
  • Facilities management
  • Junior group coaching
  • Golf operations manager
  • PGA individual coaching
  • Partnering Scottish Golf and the R&A running events
  • What you all know me best for organising and running events

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

That is tricky to answer, I very much hope to still be doing what I am doing, running Junior Golf Scotland, working at Playsport Golf and delivering lessons. In 5 years time my son will be 7, I hope he is playing golf and wants to play in the Junior Golf Scotland events, but I have seen it all before, I wont force him! (but he does already have a set of clubs!)

Favourite type of course? Favourite Course? Favourite Club in the bag? LEast Favourite Club in the bag? Every had a hole in one? Dream 4 ball?

  1. Links course without a doubt
  2. Trump International Aberdeen
  3. 3 wood
  4. Lob wedge – maybe only use it once every 3 or 4 rounds
  5. No holes in one, but I have had a 2 on a par 5
  6. Tiger, Rory & Freddie Couples

How did junior golf scotland come around?

Junior Golf Scotland started life as 4 junior events and was known as the Junior Flag Challenge. We ran an event at Playsport Golf, Mearns Castle Golf Academy, Broadlees Golf and Paisley Golf Club, several years later and countless golf events each year has been bigger and better! I look forward to seeing how the tour continues to develop and where we go next! This tour was started to help get junior golfers into the game, give them somewhere to enjoy playing and keep them in the game, that hasn’t changed to this day despite the big fancy trophies, I just want everyone to enjoy playing the game.

Speaking of which, what is next?

I am never 100% sure what direction I will take the tour in, feedback from players and parents and I come up with different ideas throughout the year. I do like to try and add something new each year, this year we have the Stableford Series and the Team Championships. The limiting factor is always financial, I would love to push on and offer bigger and more opportunities as every turn, but sometimes its just not possible, sponsors do play a massive role! Coaching will certainly play a part in the next chapter of Junior Golf Scotland.

How would a company or an individual support the tour?

For 2024 we are seeking tee sponsors for a donation of £500, if you or your company may be interested in supporting Junior Golf Scotland then please just get in touch. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Next interview next month is a PGA teaching professional

Got a question you’d like to ask about this profession? Ask away at through the form below below

*we will ask any and all sensible questions, where questions are similar they will be worded in such a way to cover as many bases as possible. The interviewee may choose not to answer any question if they wish.