As one of his final acts in post, Nick Pink, departing Chief Executive of England Golf has visited the award winning 3 Hammers Golf Complex in Wolverhampton. On his visit last week, Nick met with England Golf’s 2019 Lifetime Service award winner and 3 Hammers owner, Ian Bonser, to experience first-hand the facilities and programmes that have made 3 Hammers such a success.
Renowned for being fun and innovative pioneers of the game, 3 Hammers pulled out all the stops to impress, laying on a series of golf games with the Ladies’ and Junior academies including brand new addition PINK PONG, named in Nick’s honour.
After taking on the academy members in his eponymous game Nick commented, “I had a great trip to 3 Hammers to meet Ian and the team. Venues like 3 Hammers really are making golf more accessible, inclusive and fun; and as I come to the end of my time with England Golf I’m delighted to see such a progressive venue thriving. It’s clear that Ian embodies the values of the complex and I was delighted to see first-hand what a worthy winner of this year’s England Golf lifetime service award he is. To have their new game – ‘Pink Pong’ – named in my honour really was the icing on the cake!”
Following a round of PINK PONG, Nick was invited to answer questions from local golfers on issues such as ‘how to speed up the game’ and about the mental and physical health side of the sport. Both juniors and lady golfers quizzed the honoured guest on how he sees golf developing in the future, how to make it more affordable and what’s in store to encourage ladies into the game.
Having recently been awarded with the prestigious Lifetime Service award from England Golf, Complex Owner Ian Bonser was delighted to welcome the ‘head of the industry’ to his venue. He said, “It’s a pleasure to welcome Nick to 3 Hammers today. It’s refreshing to see how golf is moving forward into the 21st century and with our recent affiliation to England Golf, it echoes what we try to do here – to welcome anyone – young or old to the sport – in a fun, affordable and friendly way.”
3 Hammers https://3hammers.co.uk/
England Golf https://www.englandgolf.org/
Pictured top: Ian Bonsor (left) and Nick Pink