Two new faces have been recruited to help the drive to encourage more people into golf in Lancashire.
England Golf – the game’s national governing body – has appointed a pair of development officers to support the work of clubs and driving ranges across the county.
Debbie Barber will team up with Adam McAlister (pictured) with a brief to attract more players, increase membership and develop stronger clubs across the region.
The county’s golf facilities are already backing a national campaign launched by England Golf, which has put in place a wide-ranging strategic plan which runs until 2017.
‘Raising our Game’ includes supporting clubs as they seek to introduce newcomers to the sport through coaching for beginners and providing a positive pathway into club membership.
The work going on in Lancashire sees the Lancashire Union of Golf Clubs and the Lancashire County Ladies Golf Association working closely with the area’s PGA professionals while England Golf is now providing additional resource with the introduction of two county development officers.
The new structure will focus attention on attracting people to the sport and providing the right support for clubs.
Debbie and Adam will work alongside England Golf Regional Manager, Iain Lancaster, to develop and deliver national initiatives and programmes to make golf more accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
This includes supporting clubs with two initiatives – the Get into Golf campaign and the achievement of the GolfMark standard.
Both promote a more inclusive and friendly approach towards newcomers, ensuring they can play golf regularly.
The two CDOs will also support clubs in areas like the retention of existing members.
Adam is covering the west of the county (Lancaster, Blackpool and Fylde, Preston, South Ribble, Chorley, West Lancashire, Wigan and Merseyside) while Debbie is looking after East Lancashire and Greater Manchester.
Iain Lancaster, England Golf Regional Manager, says: “The additional capacity shows the commitment of England Golf to ensure a healthy future for the sport and will enable us to support more clubs across Lancashire, driving the More Players, More Members and Stronger Club elements of the Strategic Plan.
“The group will also begin to create a County Plan for Golf, which will serve to benefit the sport across the area.
“This is an exciting development and will make it even easier for people to give golf a go in Lancashire and to enjoy the many health and social benefits the sport can bring, particularly as a member of a club.”
England Golf www.englandgolf.org
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