Golf: Clarke spearheads new youth initiative

Darren Clarke is to spearhead a major initiative for the development of junior golf in Ireland.

‘‘For a relatively small country, we have a quarter of this year’s Ryder Cup team and hopefully through this we’ll be able to introduce a lot more young people to the game,’’ said the Ulsterman at the launch of the Darren Clarke Foundation.

‘‘This reflects my determination to try to give something back to amateur golf, in particular junior golf.

‘‘Through the success I’ve had in my amateur and professional career I have always been aware of the debt I owe to the game here at club, provincial and national levels.

‘‘Who knows - we might have another Tiger Woods out there!’’

Club professionals are to be aided in providing coaching and a group of 16 of the most promising youngsters - 11 boys and five girls - will be invited to a weekend with Clarke at Portmarnock on September 7-8.

Nick Faldo launched his own junior tournament in Britain and through that emerged Nick Dougherty, fast establishing himself on the European Tour.

Clarke says he is ready to take someone under his wing in the same way.