A new golf academy has been unveiled in Pitlochry.
The town’s golf club believes the facility could help it to produce a Ryder Cup star of the future.
Neil Panton, brother of the club’s last Ryder Cup player, the late John Panton, was in attendance as the facility was opened.
Current club junior and Highland Open champion Blair Stephen, 19, and future star and club regular Daniel Kearney, who is only three years old, joined Mr Panton, 94, at the driving range.
Mr Panton, an honorary member, believes the facility is now the best in Perthshire outside this year’s official Ryder Cup venue of Gleneagles and feels it can help Pitlochry produce another major player like his late brother.
““The opportunity is definitely there with this new facility,” he said.
“I joined as a member in 1932 and we never had anything like this when we were young. You worked with what you had and you did your best in those days.
“In fact, I just wished we had this development 50 years ago.”
The new academy, built with help from Perth and Kinross Council, Sportscotland and landlord Charles Butter, comprises a driving range with six indoor and five outdoor bays.
There are teaching bays, where the latest sporting technology programmes are being used by club pros Mark Pirie and Graeme Leggat to help players with technique.
There is already evidence that the biggest development in the course’s 105-year history is paying dividends as the club has secured both the boys’ and men’s Perth and Kinross county championship titles.
Club director Stephen Carruthers said: “The facility is unrivalled for a club of our size in Scotland and, I believe, with the exception of Gleneagles itself, it is the best in Perthshire.
“It caters for those looking for their first taste of the game, right up to tour pro level. You don’t need to be a member to play.
“The fact our junior players are doing very well is not just about the academy, it is also the coaching ethos of the pros and the volunteer members who help to train the kids.”
As part of the opening celebrations, there will be an event on June 29 where the facilities can be sampled free.
Those joining as a member for 2014 on the day will also receive membership for 2015 free of charge.
Jackie Davidson, ClubGolf Scotland manager, said: “We’re delighted to see this facility opening and hopefully it encourages more young players to continue their golf development. It is an excellent facility in the area and we would encourage all golfers to make use of it.”