More than 3,600 would-be golfers seized the opportunity to give the sport a go during Midlands Golf Week.
The week-long festival of golf held across seven counties attracted record numbers to take part in a wide range of activities from taster sessions and roadshows to coaching programmes and open days.
Figures released by the England Golf Partnership show that a total of 3,632 people got involved during Midlands Golf Week – up from 1,143 in 2011.
A total of 122 clubs signed up to support Midlands Golf Week – up from 83 in 2011 – with 576 different activities available.
A number of innovative activities were put in place including Golf and Zumba, Fairways and Fodder, fashion shows, £20.12 offers and sessions for teachers. Twenty-four clubs held open days while the Friday of the week became Ladies Day with clubs running free ladies only coaching.
CharnwoodDrivingRangein Leicestershire reported one of their busiest revenue weeks with their offer of a basket of golf balls and a pint!
Sharon Heeley, regional development officer for England Golf – the new organisation formed by the merger of the English Golf Union and the English Women’s Golf Association – says: “Midlands Golf Week continues to go from strength to strength and with the growing support of clubs across the region it has become an important fixture on the golfing calendar in a very short space of time.
“The increasing number of clubs playing host to events – and the higher number of people going along for further coaching and on into golf club membership – shows the value of Midlands Golf Week, both to those interested in trying the sport and to the long-term future of the clubs.
“We are already planning an event for next year that will allow even more people to participate and to enjoy the health and social benefits of golf.”
Midlands Golf Week brings together development officers, county organisations, clubs and PGA professionals in seven counties – Shropshire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire and Rutland.
This year’s event was publicised by a series of public roadshows, which offered the chance to swing a real golf club and hit golf balls in an inflatable net. Venues included supermarkets, garden centres, DIY stores and a Leicester Tigers rugby match.
Midlands Golf Week was endorsed by golfing celebrity Jasper Carrot and Dubai Desert Classic winner Robert Rock along with former Ryder Cup player Peter Baker and Ladies European Tour stars Rachel Jennings and Felicity Johnson.
For the first time, Midlands Golf Week secured sponsorship from The National Golf Show and Miri at le Spa. Nearly 200 people received free coaching at the Midlands Golf Week driving range bay at The National Golf Show, held at the NEC Arena inBirmingham.
EnglandGolf www.englandgolf.org
For more information on the work of the Staffordshire Golf Partnership contact Sean Hammill, County Development Officer, Staffordshire County Golf Partnership.
Website: http://www.staffsgolfpartnership.com
Mobile: 07771 794193
Email: sean.hammill@btinternet.com
For more information on the work of the Warwickshire Golf Partnership contact Julia Burton, County Development Officer, Warwickshire County Golf Partnership.
Website: www.warwickshiregolf.info
Mobile: 07917 131001
Email: julia@warwickshiregolf.info
For more information on the work of the Leicestershire and Rutland County Golf Partnership contact Jade Boggust, County Development Officer, Leicestershire and Rutland County Golf Partnership.
Website: www.lrcgp.org.uk
Mobile: 07896 259 440
Email: lrcgp@hotmail.co.uk
For more information on the work of the Shropshire and Herefordshire Golf Partnership contact Mark Taylor, County Development Officer,Shropshireand Herefordshire County Golf Partnership.
Website: www.shropshireherefordshiregolfpartnership.co.uk
Mobile: 07756 969531
Email: mark.taylor72@o2.co.uk
For more information on the work of the Worcestershire Golf Partnership contact Warwick Holland, County Development Officer, Worcestershire County Golf Partnership.
Website: www.partnership.worcestershireamateurgolf.co.uk
Telephone: 07737 110273 or 01527 541054
Email: warwickholland@aol.com