The English Women’s Golf Association is changing its training programme for 2011/12 to make it even more successful.
The three changes are designed to make sure that resources are concentrated on the players with the greatest potential. They are:
- All players will apply to be considered for selection to the training programme
- The squad structure is to be simplified
- A system of scoring all aspects of the game will determine selection, retention and promotion within the programme.
All players who wish to be considered for a place in 2011/12 training squad must submit an application by 21 August 2011.
For further information about the changes and to download an application form please visit the EWGA website: www.englishwomensgolf.org
The new system will open the training programme to players who have not come into golf by the usual club and county route.
EWGA performance director Linda Bayman commented: “These changes are designed to provide a high-quality training programme that can take talented and committed players to the highest ranks in golf, amateur or professional.”
EWGA and its predecessor, the English Ladies’ Golf Association, has received Sport England lottery funding since 2000 and has created a training pathway from age 11 to tour professional.
Successes include the achievements of Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale) and Lauren Taylor (Woburn) who have both come through the EWGA training system and have both won the British women’s amateur championship. Kelly took the title last year at the age of 18 and Lauren became the youngest ever winner this year, aged 16.
Melissa Reid of Derbyshire is among the graduates of the scheme who now play successfully on the Ladies European Tour. She has won twice and is currently second in the rankings for European team for The Solheim Cup team. Other winners on Tour who have come through EWGA training are Felicity Johnson of Warwickshire and Florentyna Parker of Royal Birkdale.
EWGA represents around 120,000 members in more than 1780 golf clubs, trains the country’s elite golfers, runs a full rota of national championships as well as events for handicap golfers, and actively encourages new golfers.
EWGA has formed the England Golf Partnership with the English Golf Union and the Professionals Golfers’ Association. Their Whole Sport Plan, supported by Sport England, aims to make England the world’s leading golf nation by 2020.
The association also has a charity, The EWGA Trust, which supports schemes to introduce girls to golf and helps promising players.