A major project at Strathlene Golf Club in Buckie to upgrade facilities and attract more young people has been awarded a grant of £25,000 by Moray Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise (MBSE), part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) network.

The aim of the project is to create an all weather, flood lit golf training facility to encourage young people to develop skills in the sport.

It includes plans for a 14-bay driving range for tuition and practice and new changing and viewing area.  It will be open all year round and there will be access for disabled people.

A member of the Professional Golf Association (PGA) will be available for tuition, particularly for young people, and the clubhouse will be altered to include a junior room and improved toilet facilities.

Announcing the grant, Franziska Smith, development manager of MBSE, said:  "This will be a major asset for Buckie and its surrounding areas, particularly for young people wanting to learn golf.  The golf club has shown a real will to involve young people in the sport and the local facility and we very much welcome this."

Alex Stewart of Strathlene Golf Club added:  "We are grateful to Moray Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise, Sport Scotland and Moray Council for their support. Their funding will enabled us to have a first class training facility at Strathlene to encourage youth development, all under the supervision of PGA professional Brian Slorach."