Loretto's indoor golf centre

Sam Torrance opens Loretto golf centre

Ryder Cup legend opens specialist, state-of-the-art indoor centre at Loretto School

Posted by Stephanie Broad | October 09, 2015 | Sports & Leisure

Loretto School, indoor golf centre, school sport, independent schools, Education , Sam Torrance

Professional golfer and Ryder Cup legend Sam Torrance OBE opened Loretto’s indoor golf centre this week.

The five-time Ryder Cup winner opened the state-of-the-art indoor golf centre at the school’s Musselburgh campus.  

“This type of facility wasn’t around when I was young,” said Sam Torrance who seemed particularly impressed to hear that the indoor centre would be used by children as young as five. 

“It is great that they are starting them at that age as it is important that young golfers get off on the right footing. Maybe we will see a Rory McIlroy or Sandy Lyle come from Loretto.” 

Sam Torrance addresses the guests at the official opening of the Loretto Golf Academy Indoor Centre

Housed in the former swimming complex, the building has been transformed into indoor golfing paradise and the new facility will build upon Loretto’s development and golf coaching programme. The facility includes an indoor driving range, short game facility, putting analysis, and a teaching studio with video analysis and Trackman technology.

Loretto, Scotland’s oldest boarding school, is the first in the UK to build a specialist indoor golf facility.  

The Loretto Golf Academy, launched in 2002, has been developed in partnership with the Scottish Golf Union. As part of the partnership, national squads will use the facility for training and practice.  

Golf is on offer to all 600 pupils at Loretto through as part of the PE curriculum as well as in games and activities. Development pathways for students looking to improve their game are available from the age of five.  

Improvements in current coaching and practice facilities will provide the best possible environment for the 50-strong development and senior squad to perform to the best of their ability.

Dr. Graham Hawley, Headmaster at Loretto School, said: “It is a pleasure to welcome Sam Torrance to Loretto and have him open our brand new indoor golf centre. His illustrious career is testament to what can be achieved through hard work and access to high quality coaching and facilities.  

“Our unique facility will provide an invaluable year-round practice resource for pupils to improve their game.  

“The new indoor golf centre will cement Loretto’s place at the forefront of schools golf. The centre is the very best of its kind in Scotland and one of the best in Europe.” 

www.loretto.com