De Vere Slaley Hall, the spectacular Northumberland golf destination, is launching a two-pronged initiative to increase the quantity and quality of the golfers in the region by helping the North East’s elite golfers and by encouraging more young people to take the game up.
The first part of the plan aims to inspire the North East to play golf by increasing the chances of the next British superstar coming from the region. The luxurious golf resort is lending its support to the Northumberland Union of Golf Clubs by allowing all coaching for the elite teams to be hosted at Slaley Hall’s Academy, which offers a floodlit driving range, two putting greens and a short game practice area.
By becoming the official Tuition Centre for the Northumberland County Elite Teams, Slaley Hall is ensuring the most talented players in the region are given the best possible chance to maximise their potential.
In addition, Slaley Hall will partner the Golf Foundation’s Golf Roots scheme when it comes to Newcastle in 2009. This part-government funded initiative aims to introduce sustainable junior golf activity into inner city areas; a programme that includes school-focused development work and community-based promotional work. By utilising the expertise of Slaley Hall’s teaching professionals, the Golf Roots scheme will open up the game to inner-city children who have not had the opportunity to experience golf before. Full details about the Golf Roots scheme can be found by logging onto www.golf-foundation.org
The driving force behind the new strategy, golf director at Slaley Hall, Keith Pickard said, “We have highly skilled staff and superb facilities here at Slaley Hall and we have decided to utlilise those assets to greater effect to help stimulate the game of golf in the North East. By helping elite players we hope to unearth the next great British player which without doubt would inspire others to take up the game. The North East public is renowned for idolising their sporting heroes and we would love them to be inspired by the next Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter or Luke Donald.”
“Equally, a more long-term aim is to unearth untapped talent and we feel that the Golf Foundation’s pioneering Golf Roots initiative is a fantastic platform to get more people involved in our fantastic sport. Hopefully we can inspire young people from Newcastle to take the game up either as a casual past time or as a serious player.” Slaley Hall members already contribute to the Golf Foundation with a donation each year as part of their membership renewal.
At the heart of the Slaley Hall resort are the Hunting and Priestman championship golf courses, which have played host to a number of prestigious tournaments in the past.
The return of high profile professional tournament golf in August, when the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship was staged over the Hunting course, is testament to the immaculate condition and the great test presented by the Dave Thomas design. The Priestman Course on the west side of the estate, designed by Neil Coles, offers stunning panoramic views of the Tyne Valley.
Slaley Hall www.devere-hotels.com