Charity golf day
a huge success

Scotland Charity Golf Day Success

More than 80 golfers came together at Royal Musselburgh Golf Course in Prestonpans for a charity golf day that raised £17,000 for School Of Hard Knocks (SOHK), the national education charity that helps young people at risk of exclusion and falling out of education.

The event will fund a year of support for an entire school group in a high-need area of Scotland.

25 September 2026, East Lothian

The invitational was organised by longstanding SOHK supporters and East Lothian locals Alasdair Gardner and Lawson Muncaster and hosted by Scotland rugby legend Gavin Hastings OBE. Guests enjoyed a day of four-ball golf and on-course challenges, followed by lunch, prize giving and a lively auction with Ally Logan. Among those taking part were broadcaster Eilidh Barbour, well-known winger Craig Joiner and former Scotland international rugby union player Kevin McKenzie.

The £17,000 raised is equivalent to the cost of a full academic year of SOHK’s programme for one school group in a high-need area of Scotland. Last academic year, the charity supported 384 children across 10 schools in Scotland, with each young person receiving an average of 5 one-to-one mentoring sessions.

The event was attended by teams from The Offside Line, Barclays, Brewin Dolphin, and Springfield, among others, whose backing helped make the day possible.

SOHK works with pupils aged 11–16 facing hardship and deprivation. Its two-year schools programme combines a winning formula of rugby, group classroom sessions, and specialist 1-2-1 mentoring to build confidence, emotional resilience and stronger engagement in education. More than 90% of participants report feeling more confident and more connected to school after completing the programme.

“SOHK harnesses the transformative power of rugby to unlock potential in young people who’ve stopped believing in themselves. Rugby teaches you that you’re never on your own out there – you’ve got a team around you. This support will help many more reconnect with their education and futures.”

– gavin hastings OBE

Alasdair Gardner, co-organiser, said: “Too many young people in Scotland are struggling and risk falling through the cracks. Today was a huge boost for a charity that’s providing critical support, giving children the structure and belief they need to stay in education and thrive.”

Rosanna Innes Reid, Head of Partnerships at SOHK, added: “We’re deeply grateful to all those who made our first Scotland golf day such a success, from our organisers to our host, participating teams, volunteers and longstanding supporters. Every pound raised helps us reach more young people, at a time when early intervention has never been more vital.”

Founded in 2012, School Of Hard Knocks runs its early intervention in 29 secondary schools across Scotland, England and Wales, supporting more than 1,000 pupils a year over the course of the two-year intervention.