A CHARLESTOWN teenager has been given a once-in-a-lifetime chance to walk the course with some of the biggest stars in golf at the Ryder Cup.

Alan Millar (18) is one of 29 players selected by ClubGolf to be official score board holders during this week's event at Gleneagles which started this morning (Friday).

The juniors all take part in ClubGolf stage three coaching through Scottish Golf Development Centres across the country and to be selected, they had to nominate themselves and the person who has been the biggest inspiration in their golfing career.

The lucky players were chosen along with the adult they felt has most inspired them and they will carry score boards from hole-to-hole during three days of high-quality golf between the cream of Europe and the USA.

Alan chose his dad Ronnie - a member of Canmore Golf Club - to be his carry board partner and said, "He was the one playing golf so he has to come with me.

"I think it'll be a really good experience being so close to the players. I've been to The Open before but it's going to be a completely different experience as you'll be closer to everything. It's amazing - it's an opportunity you can't turn down. So few people get the chance to do it so I cannot believe I was so lucky and picked to do it."

Jackie Davidson, ClubGolf manager, said, "This is a great opportunity for these junior golfers to take part in one of sport's biggest events and we are grateful to Ryder Cup Europe for making it happen. We hope they'll be inspired by being so close to the players and that they and their carry boarding partner will share some wonderful memories of The Ryder Cup for many years to come."

The Scottish Golf Development Centre programme is for players aged between 11 and 17 who have an official golf handicap. The programme runs between October and May, and consists of 30 hours of group golf coaching from a PGA professional for £160.

Bookings for this winter's programme at 37 centres are being taken at www.clubgolfscotland.com/developmentcentres.