From the playground to the Old Course: The Daily Mile at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

On 29 and 30 September 2026, 939 children from 16 schools across Fife and Dundee ran, wheeled and walked their Daily Mile at one of the most famous sporting venues in the world.

The day was one of two Daily Mile events funded through £130,000 of investment from the Scottish Government’s Summer of Sport programme. Together with our event at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, that funding gave 2,456 children from 61 schools the chance to experience The Daily Mile at two of Scotland’s iconic sporting venues. It covered participation and transport, so no school had to miss out because of cost.

More than a mile

For the children, the day was about far more than the mile itself. Alongside their Daily Mile, they enjoyed taster golf sessions with Scottish Golf’s participation team, and for some it was the first time they had ever picked up a club. They also took part in wellbeing activities with Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH).

They were in good company, too. Maree Todd, Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs, laced up her trainers and joined them on their mile, while footballer James Milner and cricketer Michael Vaughan both came along to the event.

Cheering them on every step of the way were 50 student volunteers from Fife College. Across both days, they marshalled the mile and encouraged the children through every activity, making sure everyone felt supported from start to finish.

An event for every child

Just as important as where the children went was making sure every child could be part of it. The days were designed around enjoying being active, with the chance to try something new and take part in a way that worked for them. Activities were adapted so that everyone, whatever their abilities, could join in alongside their friends.

Across our Summer of Sport events, 85% of the schools taking part came from some of Scotland’s most deprived communities (SIMD 1–3), and we were delighted to welcome eight additional support needs schools.

In their own words

So what did the children take away from the day? When they talked about it, they spoke about friends, trying something new and having fun.

“My favourite part of the day was doing the golf with my friends.” Child attending the event

Asked to sum up the day in three words, one child said it best: “fun, exciting and healthy”.

Their teachers saw it too.

“It was a fantastic experience for our pupils, with many even just visiting St Andrews for the first time and providing them with a sense of achievement was a joy to watch.” Teacher, Aberhill Primary School

Taking it back to school

Fun, friends and feeling part of something special are exactly what keep children moving. Enjoyment is at the heart of encouraging children to be more active, and experiences like this give schools something positive to build on when children return to their everyday routines.

That is already happening. Since the events, schools have signed up 1,858 more children to The Daily Mile, and teachers tell us more classes are heading outside every day, with moving together becoming a bigger part of the school day.

“It was fantastic to see almost 1,000 children from across Fife and Dundee coming together at St Andrews ahead of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. By linking major sporting events with inclusive initiatives like The Daily Mile, we can inspire more young people to enjoy the benefits of being active.” Maree Todd, Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs

Back where it all began

Scotland is the home of golf, and the home of The Daily Mile too. It started at St Ninian’s Primary School in Stirling in 2012 as a simple 15-minute run, jog, walk or wheel in the fresh air. Today it is enjoyed by more than 20,000 schools and five million children worldwide, so bringing it to the Old Course felt like a fitting celebration of its Scottish roots.

Thank you to the Scottish Government, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, Scottish Golf, SAMH, the student volunteers from Fife College and every school, teacher and child who joined us.

Want to bring The Daily Mile to your school? Sign up here