Etchinghill Golf Club, in Folkestone, Kent, is the winner of an Explanar Junior Golf Training Aid. This is one of three Explanars the Golf Foundation is presenting through prize draws to go-ahead golf clubs with 10 or more youngsters registered for the charity’s Junior Golf Passport.
The Foundation has teamed up with Explanar to highlight Junior Golf Passport coaching activity in this way. Explanar is a company which helps golfers of all ages to improve their games, including youngsters who show great promise with their swings.
Etchinghill GC was an early adopter of the PGA-endorsed Junior Golf Passport, the national learning programme that PGA Coaches and boys and girls can work through together to take them from complete novices to regular junior golfers.
Etchinghill’s PGA Head Professional Steve Mitchell said: “We are thrilled to win this Explanar, which will be a great addition to our coaching here of course. This was a very nice surprise after we’ve enjoyed working with the Junior Golf Passport, which is a great resource for helping juniors to progress here at the club.”
Etchinghill Golf Club is an HSBC Golf Roots Centre and is committed to bringing on new players from the local community with the support of the Foundation, many from initial coaching sessions at primary and secondary school.
The club’s PGA Assistant Professional Sophie Daws said: “Coaching of a wide cross-section of ages is going very well as there is lots of opportunity to learn all aspects of the game here. The younger children can find their feet with the Junior Golf Passport and on our academy course, and when ready can make the step up to the full course. Age group roll-ups at weekends and junior competitions are also a successful feature.”
Luther Blacklock, PGA Master Professional and inventor of the Explanar, made a personal visit to the Kent club to present the prize.
Luther said: “Major congratulations to Etchinghill for winning our Explanar Junior Golf Training Aid. The coaching team there is clearly passionate about helping youngsters, as we are here at Explanar, so we are very pleased that the first of three of our prizes has gone to such a good home.
He added: “I cut my teaching teeth working with the Golf Foundation in the mid-1970s and we’re delighted and privileged to be now partnering the Foundation, using Explanars to help them grow the game.”
At the time of the next prize draw in February 2015, all golf clubs who have 10 or more children registered on the Junior Golf Passport will be automatically entered to win the second Explanar prize.
Explanar Golf Training Aid www.explanar.co.uk