Inspirational young golfers Tilly Garfoot and Harvey Dobson have been named as the latest winners of England Golf’s ‘Hero’s Handshake’ award.
The award recognises outstanding work in the field of promoting junior golf and is presented by the Young Ambassadors.
Supported by England Golf and the Golf Foundation, the Young Ambassadors is a team of young people whose aim is to encourage more of their peers to get into golf, feel welcomed at clubs and develop a lifelong love of the game.
Tilly, a member at Woodhall Spa and Spalding golf clubs in Lincolnshire, has made a huge impact on girls’ golf in her county and was the August award winner. As well as producing a video to promote junior golf in Lincolnshire, the 18-year-old also initiated a Junior Captains’ Day for both boys and girls and leads by example.
Tilly helps to run junior coaching sessions and was instrumental in adopting a new identity for the county junior girls now known as the Lincolnshire Girls Golf Squad. The motto for the group is: Inspiration, Motivation, Passion and Success.
On receiving her certificate from England Golf’s junior participation manager Laura Yapp, Tilly said: “It’s a real honour to win this award.”
Harvey picked up September’s Hero’s Handshake award in light of his tireless work to make sure golf is a fun activity for youngsters at Wexham Park Golf Centre in Buckinghamshire. Through his ‘Fun Fridays’ initiative, Harvey has encouraged youngsters to get together and enjoy both the sporting and social elements of golf.
As well as devoting time to promote the sport to others, Harvey has also shown the way by developing his own game – reducing his handicap index from 28 to two in just five years and representing BB&O at under 16 level.
The 15-year-old said: “It feels really good to win the award and something I will always remember.”
