In 2014, through the introduction of golf to local primary schools and by working with Sport England and the Golf Foundation, Glossop Golf Club in Derbyshire has seen its junior section double in size, it now boasts 64 young members.
As well as receiving HSBC Golf Roots centre status in 2014, Glossop GC benefitted from an “Inspired Facilities” grant from Sport England, which the club used to create an all weather short game area and range, created from the latest artificial grass surfaces. This has proved to be a fantastic asset to the club’s junior golf development. With such excellent facilities, and a Short Game Academy structure in place, the club needed to attract new young players. To do this, Jamie Goodhall PGA Professional at Glossop GC, ran taster sessions for over 100 children in local schools. The young people were then invited to attend coaching sessions at the golf club, where they could follow the new Junior Golf Passport programme and 34 children took up this opportunity.
Once at the golf club, the youngsters were fortunate to have some assistance from David Cox of UK Golf Distribution who kindly supplied Jaxx Golf Equipment to participants on the programme. This support, coupled with the backing of the golf club and local schools, has enabled young people in the community to have a positive introduction to golf and demonstrates that Glossop GC is committed to playing a crucial part in their golfing development.
As a result of the infrastructure now in place, the club has recently been awarded HSBC Golf Roots funding to provide winter coaching sessions. Jamie Goodhall is now working with over 100 children in four schools (Padfield Primary, Dinting Primary, Tintwistle Primary and Simmondley Primary School) with a view to seeing a further increase in participation back at the golf club.
“With the funding that is available to golf clubs,” said Jamie Goodhall, “We’ve been able to create a great facility for all and especially juniors taking up the game, and give our more advanced juniors a great place to work on the most important areas of their games all year round. It has been fantastic to see.”
Glossop Golf Club www.glossopgolfclub.co.uk
Derbyshire Golf www.derbyshiregolf.org
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