The Golf Foundation has announced a new relationship with Factory Eleven Golf which will enable the junior golf charity to take its PGA endorsed Tri-Golf game to another level.
Factory Eleven is a sports development company based in North Yorkshire, a public events specialist which can stage colourful hands-on golf activities for youngsters in a range of settings, from having a presence in a local community facility or a shopping centre, to manning an exhibition area at major European Tour events. Factory Eleven also develops innovative equipment and learning resources across six key sports.
Chief executive of the Golf Foundation, Mike Round, has announced that Factory Eleven has become one of the Golf Foundation’s Official Development Partners. This new partnership will be a major boost for Tri-Golf and the public promotion of the game of golf for youngsters – bringing the sport to families in many public areas – and will also give Tri-Golf itself an added dimension for 2006 and beyond.
In the recent past, Factory Eleven’s colourful use of materials, skill sets and target zones have been a perfect natural accompaniment to the Golf Foundation’s Tri-Golf game. Factory Eleven and the Foundation have combined at three European Tour events this year and introduced around 10,000 children to golf at the BMW Championship, Wales Open and Daily Telegraph Dunlop Masters. The two have also combined for events at public golf shows and even presentations in shopping centres in different areas of the UK.
The new programme will incorporate two distinct equipment sets: a ‘Driving School’ and a ‘Course’ Pack. Mike Round said, “Tri-Golf is an excellent starter game for youngsters using plastic clubs and soft balls to get children as young as three and four experiencing hitting a ball with a golf club for the first time. Having been switched on to golf through the existing fun-based games, children can now move on to a more realistic golfing experience using the ‘Driving School’ and ‘Course’ Pack.
“Developing our relationship with Factory Eleven will mean we will be able to bring interesting aspects of real golf to children – target areas, bunkers, trees, out-of-bounds – creating more of a golf course feel. The equipment can be used almost anywhere so, using the Tri-Golf clubs and balls, children can be introduced to a whole range of golfing terms and scenarios making the transition to a golfing facility much smoother. Children will also be in a better position to learn about rules and etiquette before ever going to a club.”
Founder of Factory Eleven and former PE teacher, Peter Gray said, “We are very pleased to be working with the Golf Foundation at this level and that our work and support has been recognised in this way. We look forward to working with and assisting the Golf Foundation in making the sport a realistic option for young people to access in school and at their local community sports facility.”
PGA Professional Tony Howarth, who is already using the Factory Eleven equipment in schools, reported, “Tri-Golf has been fantastic as it has made it possible for me to introduce golf in school halls and on the playing fields across the north west. The Driving School and Course Pack have meant that I can move the children on through the Golf Foundation’s Junior Golf Passport without having to take them off-site. Factory Eleven has also developed learning support material that can be used to develop numeracy, literacy and ICT skills via a special section of its website which primary school teachers and young golfers have found very informative.”
Another PGA professional, Chris Gill, said, “I’ve used the equipment at my driving range and can’t believe how popular it’s been. I have been able to set up golf holes and not only teach the rules and etiquette more effectively, but also introduce concepts such as course management more easily.”
The web-based resources allow children to design their own golf hole, learn about the rules and golfing terminology, and have a go at a fun golf challenge. Mike Round concluded, “Anyone involved with Tri-Golf or the teaching of proper golf to young beginners will benefit from using Factory Eleven’s equipment.”
For more information visit www.golf-foundation.org or www.f11golf.com
Golf Foundation teams up with Factory Eleven
