Clubs and junior golfers sign up for GolfSixes leagues in large numbers and enjoy new end of season Open event

Scottish Golf is delighted to report a record-breaking season of GolfSixes League action in 2025 featuring juniors from all regions of the country.

GolfSixes League, the national programme that caters for young, beginner golfers by providing a fun introduction to team golf in a pairs scramble format, has proved to be smash hit ever since it was piloted as part of Scottish Golf’s National Junior Framework in 2018.

This year higher levels of participation (and fun!) were achieved through both the GolfSixes League core programme and also the new-look end of year Open.

During 2025:

• 145 clubs signed up for Golf Sixes events (up from 137 in 2024)
• 33 local leagues were in play (up from 30 in 2024)
• Around 2000 beginner boys and girls got involved in GolfSixes activities
• Remote clubs enjoyed GolfSixes through a new ‘online’ league initiative

The season ended with a bang when 250 juniors from all six regions took part in the inaugural Scottish GolfSixes Open at Blairgowrie Golf Club in partnership with PING.

The Open brought together teams from the 33 leagues in one setting for a two-day event that replaced the previous format of regional and national finals.

The aims of the Open were simple – to reach a larger number and more diverse group of clubs, including rural and island clubs, and host an inspiring national event that would create memories to last a lifetime.

As well as playing a GolfSixes tournament, the boys and girls were able to enjoy skills challenges and interact with their peers in other small-sided games on and off the course.

Royal Dornoch pipped North Inch Juniors to the Open title with Portlethen, Dunblane, Banchory, Annanhill, Kings and Airdrie golf clubs all among the prize winners in categories such as nearest the pin and the dartboard challenge.

Fraser Crawford, participation manager at Scottish Golf, said: “The 2025 GolfSixes season has been a brilliant success thanks to the combined efforts of the clubs, the team managers and volunteers and, of course, the super enthusiastic youngsters who took part in our activities.

“The aim of GolfSixes, backed by The R&A and Golf Foundation, has always been to provide a fun introduction to golf for boys and girls that supports their development and retention within the sport.

“Team golf is absolutely central to this.

“If they enjoy the team activities and experience at one of our development events, then learning the fundamental skills follows as a natural consequence.

“This year it was amazing to have 145 clubs from every corner of the country sign up to the GolfSixes League programme.

“We were also delighted to deliver an online league that enabled clubs in more remote or island areas to join in the fun and compete against other clubs for the first time.

“The real thrill for us as a participation team was watching 250 juniors gather at Blairgowrie for the Open and see how much fun they had.

“The smiles and the laughter heard over those two days tell a story that is hard to convey simply through numbers.

“The kids had a ball, and it truly was a national celebration of junior golf.

“The Open complemented perfectly the leagues that have been going on throughout the year.

“In past years, only local winners progressed to the regional and national finals. This new format opened up that opportunity for many more youngsters and clubs and was really well received.

“We’ll now look to build on this year’s success with our expanded plans for 2026 which aim to encourage more clubs to join up and more young people to get involved in our flagship programme which is now well established as a key part of the junior player pathway in Scotland.”

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GolfSixes League is a development project designed to enable participants who are new to golf to learn, play and progress through short-form team golf. It is a collaborative initiative driven by The R&A, Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT], Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG], Ladies European Tour [LET], DP World Tour and national partners. The expansion of GolfSixes League is backed by the Golf Foundation, the charity that created and developed the initiative across GB&I.

More information on GolfSixes League available at cp.golf/golfsixesleague

From the unique demands of Royal Portrush to the mental routines that keep a two-time major champion sharp, Ivar shares the behind-the-scenes lessons and practical insights that coaches can take straight to their own players.

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When you think of the absolute pinnacle of professional golf, the name Collin Morikawa is impossible to ignore. Winner of both the PGA Championship and The Open, Morikawa is the epitome of modern professional golf: technically refined, mentally strong, and leaving nothing to chance.

But how does such a top player actually prepare for a major like The Open, with all the unique conditions that a links course like Royal Portrush entails?

Thanks to the special collaboration between Ivar van der Moolen and Rick Sessinghaus, he was given an exclusive glimpse into Morikawa’s preparation.

Sessinghaus, Morikawa’s PGA coach for over twenty years and director of FlowCode Golf, and Van der Moolen, PGA of Holland Member and mental performance coach since 1993 and developer of MTP, have been joining forces for the past year and a half. Together, they share a deep passion: helping golfers of all levels perform better and with more enjoyment on the golf course by strengthening the mental aspect of the game.

The Collaboration: A Mental Masterclass

When Ivar van der Moolen joined Rick Sessinghaus’ coaching team 1,5 year ago, a fruitful collaboration emerged, focused on knowledge exchange and development. This resulted in a unique opportunity: experiencing Morikawa’s preparation for The Open at Royal Portrush up close.

“A fantastic experience,” said Van der Moolen. “It’s impressive to see how a player of Morikawa’s caliber prepares for a tournament of this magnitude down to the smallest details.”

For Coaches: the key takeaway is that mental readiness is not an add-on to technical training — it’s embedded into every decision, drill, and discussion.

Adapting the Game to Royal Portrush

Royal Portrush is not just any golf course. The wind, the rugged terrain, the thick rough, and the changeable weather make it a world-class challenge. For a player who has mainly experience on the American tour, that means serious adjustments.

• Morikawa paid close attention to studying the grass types around the greens — which are significantly different in Northern Ireland than on American courses.
• Putting on slower greens compared to the PGA tour also required adjustment, as did the choice of landing spots from the tee in relation to the bunkers.
• During the practice rounds, Sessinghaus and Morikawa closely examined the influence of the weather and the layout of the course. Nothing was left to chance. Every shot, every lie was evaluated with a view to the most likely conditions during the tournament.

For Coaches: Build adaptability into practice. Create sessions that expose players to variable conditions and require decision-making, not just repetition.

Mental Focus in a Busy Week

In addition to the technical adjustments, there is the mental aspect – perhaps the most important part of preparing for a major. “What struck me,” says Van der Moolen, “is how well Collin sets his mental goals, even during practice rounds. He’s not just hitting balls; everything is done with a clear plan.”

The public wanting autographs, journalists requesting interviews between training sessions, and the constant pressure of being a multiple major winner – these are all elements that can disrupt mental balance. Sessinghaus acts as an anchor in all of this. He ensures that Morikawa stays in his own “bubble” and maintains his focus.

For Coaches: Encourage players to set clear mental and technical goals for every round and training session. This instils intent and keeps practice purposeful.

Details Make the Difference

Nothing in Morikawa’s preparation is left to chance:

• During short game training, specific club choices were discussed and adapted to the circumstances.
• Putting was where the finishing touches were made: how hard should a ball be rolled on greens that are slightly slower than normal? How does the break change in combination with the wind?
• “Even the lesser shots during the practice rounds are analysed and evaluated,” says Van der Moolen. “Not with frustration, but with curiosity. What can we learn from this? How do we ensure that this does not happen during the tournament, and when it does happen, how do we deal with it?

For Coaches: Model this mindset with your students. Review both good and bad shots in training, focusing on “what can we learn?” rather than blame.

Dealing with Expectations

An important part of preparation is dealing with the expectations of others – the public, the media, and even your own team. For a player like Morikawa, with two majors already under his belt, expectations are high.

Rick Sessinghaus helps Morikawa turn that pressure into focus.

• Instead of thinking about winning, the emphasis is on the process and what you as a player and team have 100% control over: preparing optimally, making the right choices, maintaining mental calm, and remaining flexible under changing circumstances. The result is what ultimately matters.
• The process is a prerequisite for achieving the optimal result. And is therefore sacred.

For Coaches: Teach athletes to separate controllables from uncontrollables. Build routines that anchor them in the present task, especially under pressure.

How Coaches Can Apply These Insights

While your players might not be walking the fairways of Royal Portrush under TV cameras, the principles are universal:

• Plan with purpose — give every session a clear focus.
• Train for adaptability — change variables, conditions, and challenges.
• Build mental routines — protect focus in high-distraction environments.
• Normalise reflection — treat every shot as a learning opportunity.
• Focus on process — results follow from great preparation.

These approaches not only improve performance but also deepen player engagement and trust in your coaching.

From Tour Insights to Your Coaching Business

The methods used with Morikawa are scalable for all levels — from juniors to elite amateurs — and can be integrated into your own coaching with the right tools and frameworks.

The Mental Toughness Programme was built for exactly this purpose: giving coaches practical, ready-to-use mental skills resources that help players focus better, stay resilient, and perform with more confidence — while also creating new business opportunities through structured delivery.

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Utilise the Mental Toughness Programme With Your Students and Become an Affiliate Partner

Pay a one time €49,00 for your own lifetime membership, and when one of your students buys the program with your unique code, they will receive a one time €10,00 discount for their year licence and the Affiliate receives a one time €20,00 for every sale!

To learn more and become an MTP Affiliate, visit cp.golf/mtp.

Founded with the aim of advancing the professional game in Macau through education, development, and support for local golf professionals, the Macau PGA becomes the latest organisation to align with the CPG’s mission of growing the game through collaboration and shared knowledge.

Through this new partnership, the CPG will work closely with the Macau PGA to help develop coaching standards, support Member services, and provide access to the CPG Learning Institute, international opportunities, and a global community of fellow PGAs.

“We are very excited to join the CPG as members in this global community,” said Keith Lawson, Chairman of the Macau PGA.

“The Macau PGA is relatively small but the membership is diverse including Professionals and Board members from Macau, Hong Kong, China, United Kingdom, Canada, USA, France, and Australia.

“The collaboration with the CPG reinforces our shared dedication to promoting regional player development, enhancing coaching standards, and creating opportunities for members at an international level.”

This collaboration reflects the CPG’s ongoing commitment to helping PGAs around the world achieve their goals, while fostering regional development and creating sustainable pathways for coaches, players, and the sport as a whole.

“The welcome addition of Macau follows recent CPG membership growth into Asia, reflecting the evolution of the Association internationally in providing services to PGAs and their members,” said CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell.

“We are already working with the Macau PGA to help them achieve their goals and we are committed to providing tools, opportunities and experiences to both the Association and their members as we welcome them into the expanding international community.”

Further updates will follow as both organisations work together to deliver programmes that serve Macau PGA Members and contribute to the long-term development of golf in Macau.

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For more information on the PGA of Macau visit macaupga.com and for more on CPG Member Countries, visit cpg.golf/members.

Sotogrande is proud to announce a new partnership with leading Ladies European Tour star, Mimi Rhodes, who will represent the destination as its official touring professional ambassador.

Currently sitting at #1 on the Ladies European Tour rankings, Rhodes has already secured three victories on tour this season and is firmly in contention for the prestigious Order of Merit title.

This exciting collaboration sees Rhodes return to her roots, with a significant personal connection to Sotogrande. Having grown up playing and practicing in the region as a resident, she is very familiar with the world-class golf facilities and tranquil environment that have long made Sotogrande a home for elite athletes and discerning travellers alike.

As part of the agreement, Rhodes will base her ongoing training and preparation at The Alto Club Sotogrande and the brand-new Alto Academy, located at the SO/ Sotogrande Spa & Golf Resort. She will feature The Alto Club branding on her apparel and golf bag throughout the remainder of the season and beyond.

Rita Jordão, Director of Marketing for Sotogrande SA, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Mimi back to Sotogrande in an official capacity. Mimi being someone who knows and loves Sotogrande as deeply as she does, makes this partnership all the more special. She exemplifies the values of our community, so we really look forward to supporting her on her journey.”

Rhodes also expressed her excitement at the partnership, saying: “Sotogrande has always felt like home to me. I’ve spent some of the most formative years of my life here, practicing, growing, and enjoying everything the destination has to offer. I’m thrilled to now represent The Alto Club and Sotogrande on the Ladies European Tour and beyond and look forward to returning regularly to prepare and recharge in-between tournaments.”

This announcement follows the recent unveiling of Suzann Pettersen as global ambassador for The Alto Club Academy. Set to open in the coming weeks, the Academy will feature state-of-the-art training facilities, a professional-level performance zone, and a par-3 course. It will also serve as a key practice location for Rhodes.

To know more about The Alto Club, head to: altogolfclub.com/a>