Stanton on the Wolds members pick up their Championship Venue of the Year Award from England Golf performance director Nigel Edwards (right) at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE’S Stanton-on-the-Wolds Golf Club has won England Golf’s Championship Venue of the Year Award – and the congratulations of European Tour star Tyrrell Hatton.

He sent a special message to the club as their achievement was applauded at the England Golf Awards 2019, sponsored by adidas Golf – after they beat off strong competition from Frilford Heath, in Oxfordshire, which drew high praise for its staging of the 2018 Brabazon Trophy, having to overcome a huge thunderstorm which disrupted play and forced a massive clear-up.

Hatton said: “I’ve got great memories of playing in England Golf championships in the past and I know the golf clubs all go above and beyond to make it a fantastic experience for the players.

“So massive congratulations to Stanton for winning this award, you guys must have been fantastic.”

More than 400 guests heard how the judges were bowled over by the approach of dozens of volunteers and the staff team, who totally bought into staging the English Senior Men’s County Championship.

What’s more, the greens were judged to be probably the finest at a championship event all year.

It was a fine reward for the club, which even moved its AGM so officials, members and volunteers could attend the awards at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel.

Paul Keeling, the Stanton-on-the-Wolds manager, said: “This is fantastic recognition for the club and for all the people who put so much hard work into the event.”

When the club agreed to host the event it was the first time they’d staged a national championship and, said Keeling, it was a step into the unknown.

But everyone was determined to make it a success. More than 50 volunteers signed up to help and the staff cheerfully worked from silly o’clock to silly o’clock.

The response from the four visiting teams was exceptional, with their positive feedback filling a section on the club’s website.

What’s more the championship has raised the club’s profile, brought more visitors to play the course and experience the greens – and increased the number of regular volunteers.

“That’s a real plus,” Keeling added. “They’ve realised volunteering can be good fun and it’s not sitting in a committee room for hours and hours.”

And, with membership increasing and the England Golf Championship Venue plaque on the wall, it is, as Keeling said: “All positive at Stanton.”

The club’s representatives received its award from Nigel Edwards, England Golf performance director and the Team GB golf team leader for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The club was challenged for the award by three other clubs which were also among those which hosted England Golf’s 50-plus championship events during 2018. The other finalists apart from Frilford Heath were:–

• Kedleston Park Golf Club, Derbyshire
• Sherwood Forest Golf Club, Nottinghamshire

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Lansberry (left) received his England Golf Coach of the Year Award from Richard Maxfield, chief executive of The PGA

BIRMINGHAM’S Aaron Lansberry puts the fun into golf for hundreds of youngsters – and it’s won him the England Golf Coach of the Year Award, sponsored by The PGA.

Lansberry, from Hatchford Brook Golf Centre, was recognised last night at the England Golf Awards 2019, sponsored by adidas Golf.

More than 400 guests at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel applauded him for the way he inspires youngsters to enjoy their golf and keep coming back for more.

The judges were bowled over by his passion for the game which creates a genuine love of golf among his hundreds of young pupils. “His impact on growing the game goes above and beyond his role as a coach,” they said.

Lansberry, who was also a finalist last year, said: “It’s lovely to win, it’s the cherry on the cake and it backs up all the hard work we do.”

He is supported by a team of five teenage volunteers who help him deliver sessions and by his girlfriend, Kirsty Wise.

In particular, she works with him on a new rewards system, which recognises both golf and life skills – and which was also a finalist for last night’s Innovation Award.

The youngsters are recognised with hand-made badges, which they wear proudly on their golf hats – and the couple are kept busy making them. “The kids are crazy for them, they’re bonkers for them!” said Lansberry.

The key to his success is fun and he’s always searching for new games to add enjoyment to his lessons. He trawls the internet and checks out other sports for ideas.

Lansberry said: “The kids are there for their leisure and they want as much fun as possible and to improve their golf at the same time.”

It’s a winning formula. One group of seven youngsters have been attending sessions since 2011 – and that’s typical. “Our retention rate is about 97 per cent,” added Aaron, who admits he also gets a lot from the sessions.

“It’s rewarding, it’s great. Some of those kids who’ve been coming for eight years now play for the county and at regional level. Others are just really passionate about playing, some aren’t particularly brilliant but they just love playing golf,” he said.

“As far as I’m concerned that’s job done. They’ve got a hobby, something they really enjoy, they’ve made some good friends and everyone is happy. I feel lucky.”

The runners-up were:–

• Philip Akers from The Belfry, Warwickshire
• Stuart Disney from Mendip Golf Club, Somerset
• and Mark Johnson from Styal Golf Club, Cheshire

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3 Hammers Golf Complex owner Ian Bonser (right) receiving his Lifetime Achievement Award from Adam Sills, Head of Sport at The Telegraph.

IAN Bonser, who has helped countless people to follow their golfing dreams, was honoured last night with England Golf’s Lifetime Service Award.

Bonser, the owner of the 3 Hammers golf complex in Staffordshire and a committed volunteer in the game, was recognised at the England Golf Awards, sponsored by adidas Golf at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel.

He received a special message from Dame Laura Davies who told him: “Congratulations Ian on an amazing achievement. What you have done for golf and all the time you have put in means this award is thoroughly deserved.”

Hundreds of guests from across the sport applauded his contribution to golf over the last 32 years – which he insists is by no means over.

England Golf chief executive Nick Pink said: “Ian is a pioneer. He is passionate about golf and has made an incredible impact at a local and national level, and we are delighted to present him with our Lifetime Service Award.”

Bonser, a five-handicapper, learned his own golf as an 11-year-old at 3 Hammers. By the time he was 25 he owned the centre and had embarked on his plan to create “a place where young people and adults can pursue their dreams, aspirations and goals in a fun, accessible and affordable environment.”

Over 32 years his ambition has touched countless people. Each year, more than 200,000 people visit the centre. In the last four years 30,000 adults and 10,000 juniors have had lessons at 3 Hammers. Thousands of pupils in 12 schools are introduced to the sport at the centre.

European Tour players have begun their careers at awarding-winning 3 Hammers, which has supplied golf clubs in the county with a steady stream of keen, new members.

But, as well as investing more than £1million to create a state-of-the-art centre, Bonser has also given freely of his own time to help grow the game.

He acts as a consultant to several local golf clubs, helping develop memberships and secure a brighter future for the game. He had also advised the UK Golf Club Owners Association, the government and the Treasury on issues facing the industry.

And he’s always looking for ways to reach out to the community. So, in June, 3 Hammers will fund prostate cancer tests for up to 1,000 men.

Previously Ian’s team has worked with the Wolverhampton Community Trust on a diabetes project and a scheme to help young offenders to use golf to transition back into society.  Another project helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to build their confidence.

Bonser said after receiving the award sponsored by The Telegraph: “I am so incredibly proud that England Golf has recognised all we have done by honouring us with this award.

“This is a fabulous honour for me personally, but also for everyone that has worked at 3 Hammers over the years. I have been very fortunate to have worked with some great people, but none more so than the incredible team I have today.

“So a big thank-you to them all because I could not have done it without them.”

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LEFT TO RIGHT: England Golf Awards host Dan Walker, Young Ambassador of the Year Lou McLoughlin, England Golf’s Emma Anderson and Brendon Pyle from the Golf Foundation

CHESHIRE teenager Louise McLoughlin loves helping people enjoy golf – and her bubbly enthusiasm has won her the title of England Golf’s Young Ambassador of the Year.

The 18-year-old received the accolade, presented in association with the Golf Foundation, at last night’s England Golf Awards.

The audience of more than 400 guests at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel heard how the judges were impressed by her enthusiastic personality and by the time she volunteers to support and inspire other golfers.

“This is so exciting,” said Lou, who is a member at Bromborough Golf Club. “It means everything! You don’t realise people think so much of you and when you find out, it’s special.”

Lou is a keen golfer who plays off eight and represents her club and plays for Cheshire women’s B team.

She got into the sport when she was 11, because she wanted to join her brother and dad in their regular games with her grandfather.

Lou said: “My grandad was the reason I started.”

She loved the sport straight away and before long was involved with the Cheshire girls’ programme.

The teenager grabbed the chance to get involved as an Ambassador with Girls Golf Rocks, the recruitment campaign run by England Golf and the Golf Foundation.

Lou said: “There weren’t any other girls when I started, but now we’ve got nine girls at Bromborough and lots of girls in Cheshire.”

As well as encouraging the new girl players for the last two years, she also volunteers to support juniors and women beginners at her club and goes into local schools.

“I love golf and I like making people happy,” she explained.

Lou has also shared her views with the county men’s and women’s organisations, which have drawn up an action plan to get more young people into club membership. The secret, she believes, is keeping people excited about the game, and making it fun and flexible.

Lou is currently at college studying sports management but will soon start an apprenticeship in engineering.

Meanwhile, she’s continuing to work on her golf and would love to get down to four handicap this season – one better than her dad!

Lou was presented with hr award by Brendon Pyle, chief executive of the Golf Foundation, and Emma Anderson, a past winner of the title who now works for England Golf.

She was challenged for the Young Ambassador Award by three other impressive young volunteers who are all making a difference in golf.

The other finalists in the awards sponsored by adidas Golf were:–

• Ella Baker from Warley Woods Golf Club in the West Midlands
• Jessica Pilgrim from Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire
• Georgina Wrixon from Ashley Wood Golf Club, Dorset

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England Golf’s Volunteer fo the Year Mark Feeney with Sport England’s Jenny Betteridge

LANCASHIRE’S Mark Feeney has won England Golf’s Volunteer of the Year Award for the way he has transformed junior golf at his club.

“I’m stunned,” said Feeney, from West Derby Golf Club, in Liverpool, after his win was revealed at England Golf’s 2019 Awards.

Feeney was applauded by more than 400 guests at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel when they heard how he breathed new life into the club’s junior section.

In just a couple of years he grew it from two or three players to in excess of 40 members.

A stunned Feeney said: “This is wonderful for the club, it’s amazing. It’s not just about what I do. If the parents didn’t bring the kids and if the club didn’t back me I wouldn’t be here. It’s a joint effort.”

The judges paid tribute to the way Feeney encourages and supports the youngsters, inspiring a love of the game.

He’s been a club member for around 15 years but only realised that the junior section was tiny when his son, Jack – now nine – wanted to start playing the course.

“I kept asking ‘What’s going on?’ and the club said ‘Why don’t you see if you can improve it?’

“People were telling me juniors didn’t want to play golf but I knew that was a myth.

“I was at the driving range most nights with my son and there were lots of juniors.”

The club agreed to offer free junior membership for the first year – it’s now £50 – and let Feeney set up a short course. He was off.

Mark spread the word among other parents he met at driving ranges, gathered ideas to make golf fun, enlisted the admin support of his daughter, Eva, 13, and before long the youngsters were flocking to the all-ability sessions.

They play every Sunday and about 20 of them will soon be gaining their first official handicaps. They compete for 21 trophies and Feeney is delighted that 19 different players became winners last year. The presentation evening attracted 140 people alone.

The members have been hugely supportive, providing £2,500 in sponsorship for the competitions, which includes a Ryder Cup–style event with 30 young players.

Feeney added: “The club are magnificent. I just love it. It’s great to turn up on Sundays with my son and see 25 or 30 kids on the putting green.”

His aim now is to get a junior team to represent the club in competition.

“Hopefully next year we’ll have a team, a young team – but it will be a good team,” Mark added.

Feeney, received his award from Sport England’s head of volunteering Jenny Betteridge. The other finalists at the awards sponsored by adidas Golf and hosted by the BBC sports presenter Dan Walker, were:–

• Susanne Lesley and Owen Davis – Royal Ascot Golf Club, Berkshire
• Judith Sandford – Cheadle Golf Club, Cheshire
• Marcella Tuttle – The Links, Newmarket

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