The Golf Foundation’s revamped Junior Golf Passport, endorsed by the Professional Golfers’ Association, will be celebrating its first birthday in style during The Golf Show in Harrogate (7-9 October).
Attending PGA Professionals will discover why, in the first year of the Junior Golf Passport, some 604 golf clubs and 730 PGA Professionals have so far registered for the Passport, welcoming 4,000 boys and girls into club coaching.
PGA Pros will be able to meet the Golf Foundation team – the golf charity is a guest at the event of organisers the PGA, Foremost Golf and TGI Golf Partnership. Here, Pros will be able to learn more about the innovative golf learning scheme that sets youngsters on the path of regular play and a handicap, while offering PGA Pro’s a genuine new business resource.
With more than 7,000 PGA members qualified to attend The Golf Show, it is expected that interest from forward-thinking coaches will lead to significant registration numbers in the Passport by their golf clubs, as PGA Pro’s discuss the benefits of the scheme. Professionals registering during the event will be able to take advantage of a number of free additional resources linked with the Junior Golf Passport.
This is a striking, colourful and easy-to-follow programme for children and coaches, available in interactive online form (www.juniorgolfpassport.org) or passport sized paper booklet; both designed to appeal to youngsters while offering PGA Professionals a significant coaching and business resource.
“Designed by coaches for coaches”, the Junior Golf Passport features leading thinking from top coaching Professionals and is the official learning programme for the England Golf Partnership and Golf Development Wales.
In the scheme’s first year, 4,000 youngsters have been linked successfully with PGA Pro’s to enjoy a start in learning the game at a golf club. This forms a key part of the Golf Foundation’s national ‘HSBC Golf Roots’ programme which encourages children from all backgrounds in schools and communities to enjoy golf and its benefits, introducing them in turn to golf facilities so they can become ready for regular play with the support of the club.
Momentum for the scheme is growing steadily. Before The Golf Show the Foundation is writing to its complete database of golf clubs to draw attention to the Junior Golf Passport in order that club managers and committees understand the benefits of the scheme for the PGA Professional and the club as a whole. The charity is also staging a competition in which any golf club that has registered 10 children on the Passport by 20th October will be entered into a draw to win an Explanar Junior Golf Training Aid.
Project leader Sarah Tennyson, Marketing Manager for the Golf Foundation, said: “Our team is looking forward to meeting many PGA Professionals in Harrogate who are perhaps new to the Golf Foundation and the Junior Golf Passport. We will offer them a warm welcome and demonstrate how the Junior Golf Passport can enhance their coaching and business portfolio. Feedback is showing us that youngsters are really enjoying the Junior Golf Passport and the fact that plenty of families are taking an interest is also great news. More family involvement at club level is leading to greater spending at the club venue, and that’s fantastic for the club.”
Sarah added: “We would also like to thank The Golf Show organisers, the PGA, Foremost Golf and TGI Golf Partnership, for this unique opportunity to showcase the Junior Golf Passport in front of the perfect audience. All three organisations care passionately about supporting young people new to golf and encouraging the next generation of golfers, so a huge thank you to The Golf Show team.”
Golf clubs who participate in the Junior Golf Passport will pay £100 per year to take part in the scheme.
Professionals are encouraged to follow progress on Twitter at @jnrgolfpassport, and they can see more at www.juniorgolfpassport.org. PGA Professionals not present at The Golf Show can also register through www.juniorgolfpassport.org. They can also contact the Golf Foundation on 01992 449830, or see www.golf-foundation.org