The English Golf Union (EGU) have announced that they will be running another two County Rules Schools this autumn, in Lancashire and Hampshire.
The emphasis will be on practical tuition and demonstrations that will cover some of the most commonly encountered rulings. The Rules Schools will also give delegates the opportunity to put their knowledge and learning to the test through refereeing role-play sessions and by sitting an exam on the Rules of Golf.
Four County Rules Schools were held earlier this year in Gloucestershire, Suffolk and two in Worcestershire, attracting over 100 delegates. Not only have these Schools helped to improve the Rules knowledge of all those who attended, (76% passed the ‘Rules of Golf’ exam), 33 attendees passed with distinction giving their associated County Unions a potential new source of qualified ‘County Referees’ to officiate at County championships and tournaments.
“We are very pleased to be taking the EGU County Rules School to the North and South of England for the first time, having been to the East, South West, and West Midlands earlier this year” says Toby Thorne, EGU Deputy Championship Manager.
“Taking these events out to the counties means we can enable a wider number of people to improve and further their rules knowledge and also gain the ‘EGU County Referee’ qualification. A key focus of the County Rules School programme is to provide hands-on experience, guidance and insight into the duties of a referee, which we believe offers the best way of learning and improving performance. The feedback and enthusiasm for the Schools has been very positive and we will continue to schedule new dates and venues in 2012.”
Delegates should have at least a basic understanding of the Rules of Golf before attending the School, although advice will be given on how to prepare for the exam which is several weeks after the first day of practical tuition.
All those who gain the ‘EGU County Referee’ qualification as a result of successfully passing the Rules School with distinction will be further recognised through the generosity of Toye Kenning and Spencer who are providing ‘EGU County Referee’ badges.
The following dates and venues are finalised for Autumn 2011 : (Please note, closing date for applications is Aug 31st)
- Lancashire: Day 1 Wed 7th Sep; Day 2 (inc. Exam): Thu 13th Oct. at Pleasington Golf Club, Blackburn
- Hampshire: Day 1: Sun 9th Oct; Day 2 (inc. Exam): Sun 27th Nov at Basingstoke Golf Club, Basingstoke
The fee for attending an EGU County Rules School is £40. Although hosted in a particular county, delegates from other counties will also be welcome.
For further information regarding the EGU County Rules Schools and how to register for an event visit www.englishgolfunion.org/rulesschool