Goring and Streatley Golf Club has announced the appointment of this leading golf professional, who is hoping to make his mark on the local community through encouraging young people to take up the sport of golf.
Matt Woods, PGA golf professional, is introducing a pioneering new Junior Development Programme, which will look to inspire and support young people to break away from their living rooms and get out onto the golf course.
The programme, open to girls and boys under the age of 12, will provide flexible coaching and development opportunities for kids of all abilities. From flexible coaching lessons and group sessions, through to practice 9 hole tournaments, the course will look to make golf more accessible and exciting for young people in the local area.
“The sessions will not only be golf lessons, but we will teach kids fundamental sports and moving skills.” said Matt. “Kids will be able to come to lessons whenever they want, but there will also be structured lessons, so that parents can come and drop their son or daughter off with us for the afternoon and collect them afterwards.”
With more than 24 years of experience competing on the European tour, and having won in excess of 60 professional events, Matt has already built up quite the reputation as a player, and as a coach. The current England youth squad coach has spent the last seven years teaching individuals of all ages and abilities, something which is born out of a passion to inspire and upskill others.
“Teaching young people is something that is particularly close to my heart. I believe you can tell from a very young age whether a child has serious talent and that’s something which is incredibly exciting to see. But, regardless of the level of talent that a child has, it’s great to see kids trying something new and enjoying a sport which allows them to get outdoors and enjoy some exercise.”
Matt will now, together with his team of four professionals at Goring and Streatley – all of whom have extensive backgrounds in coaching – place a bigger emphasis than ever before on youth development and training.
In addition to the Junior Development Programme, Matt also aims to launch a scholarship programme, which will give 10-12 talented boys and girls the opportunity to receive a membership to the course and exclusive coaching from his team.
Matt continued: “I hope one day to coach at least one young person to become a Ryder Cup level player. For me, that would be a phenomenal achievement.”
Goring and Streatley Golf Club www.goringgolf.co.uk