The greens of five of Scotland’s most historic courses were bathed in sunshine today as hundreds of kids tee’d off at this year’s U.S. Kids Golf European Championship. 

Over 500 young golfers from over 50 countries across the world descended on East Lothian, with the hopes of finishing first in their age group and win a place in the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships in America later this year. 

Youngsters as young as five and from as far afield and diverse as Australia, Egypt, Thailand and Hawaii will compete for the title of European Championship in their age groups, with many of them hotly tipped to be the golfing stars of the future. 

Sports Minister Shona Robison MSP, was on hand to launch the event and event showed off her swing by joining in with some of the young players. She said: ‘The U.S. Kids Golf European Championships is really important for Scotland, the local economy and for young people to begin to compete in the sport of golf.” 

Launched in 2001, the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation provides opportunities for kids to play and learn the game through local tours and tournaments such as the European Championships.  Since holding its first tournament in 2000, U.S. Kids Golf Foundation now runs around 600 events each year including the prestigious World Championships at Pinehurst.