Golf England’s recently launched Associate member scheme aims to increase golf participation for those who will have been inspired by the Ryder Cup Matches at The De Vere Belfry. The Associate member scheme is the latest development initiative from Golf England designed to promote golf to a wider audience. It continues the work started by the English Golf Union that already has over 7,000 members in its current scheme.
Golfers all over England are able to enjoy the benefits of membership. There are already over 300 Golf England clubs across the country and hundreds more are expected to join in the coming months.
Approximately 3 million casual golfers in the UK regularly play golf but they are not members of a golf club and therefore unlikely to hold a recognised handicap. No handicap means more limited access to golf courses across England. The Golf England Associate member scheme provides a stepping-stone to golf club membership and aims to attract more people of all ages on to the fairways and to help boost golf participation. It is hoped that most Associate members will go on to become full club members.
For £48 a year Golf England’s Associate member scheme offers golfers a chance to gain a recognised handicap and to benefit from a range of golf related offers including:
A membership card which can carry an official EGU/ELGA Associate member handicap
Access to hundreds of the country’s courses – with discounts at selected clubs
2 free vouchers each giving 2 green fees for the price of 1 and a saving of up to £70
A free CD Rom containing interactive golf lessons from professional John Cook
A free quarterly magazine from the publisher of ‘Golf Monthly’
Three months free golfers introductory personal liability and personal accident insurance
Up to 20% discount on group instruction at selected David Leadbetter Golf Academies
Mike Couzens, managing director of Golf England, said, “The launch of the Associate member scheme further emphasises Golf England’s ambition to make golf more accessible and to broaden the game’s appeal. By getting more people into golf and raising the profile of the game, it is hoped that golf clubs in England will continue to thrive.”
Golfers who join the Golf England Associate member scheme before 31st October 2002 will receive extended membership until the end of 2003.
Golf England www.golfengland.com