A closest to the pin shoot-out by Liz Young and Holly Aitchinson of the Ladies European Tour marked the Official Launch of National Golf Month at the Playgolf Centre, NorthwickPark.
The launch was well attended by Golf Industry members and the press who gathered to see Doug Poole (Director of National Golf Month) speak passionately about growing the game of golf and how National Golf Month aims to achieve this.
National Golf Month (NGM) – a British Golf Industry initiative – is an amazing event where all the leading golf companies and associations are joining together to increase the numbers playing golf.
It is running throughout May, with a substantial national advertising campaign, supported by golf clubs, driving ranges and PGA professionals who will be offering unique and special deals.
These all include clubs offering special deals for non members, beginners and lapse golfers
“The scheme also provides plenty of opportunities for new people to try the sport, where clubs running the Golf Development Wales New2Golf beginner scheme in May are also promoted on the National Golf Month Website ,” explained Golf Union of Wales development director Hannah Fitzpatrick.
Support for National Golf Month has seen all the major Golf Unions and Associations, Golf Clubs, Driving Ranges, Golf Manufacturers and PGA Professionals sign up to work together to reverse the trend and get more players on course to enjoy the game.
Bubba Watson’s rallying cry that he “plays golf because I just love the game” coincides with the launch of National Golf Month which aims to get an extra 100,000 lapsed or new golfers playing the game in May. Attended by all the major partners of this amazing event its media reach hit over 23 million people in the build up to the event.
Watson, who captured his second Masters title, declared “I don’t play golf because I want people to tell me how great I am at it. I don’t play golf to make a living. I play it because I just love the game, and I want to help it grow. It has given me my values and everything I have ever owned in my life.”
Sir Nick Faldo, three times Open champion and three times Masters champion, said: “I am very excited to be supporting National Golf Month. It is a special effort to get thousands of golfers playing actively or learning to play golf.
“The game provides an eternal number of self-challenges; an endless stream of goals to beat your own best. It’s a lifelong journey in sport and I fully support this effort which provides opportunity through golf on all levels.”
Charley Hull, who was introduced to golf aged two and won Rookie of the Year on the Ladies European Tour in 2013 when she became the youngest competitor to play in the Solheim Cup, said: “Golf is a fun game you can enjoy with all your family and friends, so use the great offers available during National Golf Month and get out playing this coming May.”
For further details including a map of Wales showing the clubs involved and to help find the best deals in your area visit www.nationalgolfmonth.com.
Also a map of the clubs running New2Golf Back2Golf schemes throughout the year can be viewed on www.golfdeveleopmentwales.org and clicking on the New2GolfBack2Golf tab.