The Golf Foundation introduced 50,000 kids to golf in 2019 – and says clubs must ensure they are not forgotten as members rush out to play after restrictions were lifted in England.
Picture: CHRIS VAUGHAN PHOTOGRAPHY

THE Golf Foundation has called on clubs not to forget junior golfers as they open for the first weekend’s play in some two months.

The charity, which works closely with PGA club professionals to introduce youngsters into the sport, wants to ensure they are not forgotten as members rush out to play golf again this weekend.

Many juniors attend special coaching clinics and sessions on Saturdays and Sundays, and – outside of school holidays – are far less likely to spend time at golf clubs during the week.

The Golf Foundations is desperate to help promote a safe return to the game for juniors in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

The Hertfordshire-based charity has issued guidance to clubs and PGA pro’s to help them ensure the kids are not forgotten after lockdown.

Under the heading of ‘Don’t forget our young golfers!,’ a key message for all clubs is to ensure junior members involved in coaching programmes are given fair access to play the course.

The new guidelines set out ways juniors can be welcomed back to the course, with an emphasis on safety, inclusion, club and parental support.

They also address fairness in play for youngsters, while encouraging non-golfing parents to learn about the game and their local club – the latter potentially growing family interest in golf with new audiences.

Golf Foundation chairman Stephen Lewis said: “Our charity is all about offering opportunity to young players and encouraging everyone at golf clubs to support their development.

“We understand that tee times will be at a premium at present. The adults quite rightly want to get back out there on the fairways, hence today’s message: ‘Don’t forget our young golfers!’

‘Youngsters help keep golf thriving’

“The importance of accessing the course for children has been demonstrated through our initiatives such as GolfSixes League, which have created a love of the game, a desire to play more golf and ultimately an increase in junior membership at golf clubs.

“It’s vitally important that these children and juniors continue to access the game even in this time of restrictions in order to keep golf thriving.”

The Government changed its “Stay Home, Stay Safe” message to allow golfers to play in two-balls with someone from outside their family, or to have a round of golf with two members of their family., from Wednesday this week.

Hundreds of golf clubs in England were able to open, although the Welsh and Scottish Governments, and the Stormont cabinet in Northern Ireland, left restrictions in place, forcing clubs to remain shut because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed more than 32,000 lives in the UK.

With juniors requiring supervision when allowed out on to the course – meaning they would have to play with one adult – and restrictions in place regarding use of driving ranges and practice facilities, the need for safety measures and social distancing is clear.

The head of the Golf Foundation added: “Our new guidelines emphasise the need for safety.

“With this paramount in all our thinking and actions, our sport actually provides a great opportunity for children to enjoy all of golf’s accepted health benefits – while other options are currently closed to them and their families.

“This is now a chance for the sport to engage with new audiences, with the right encouragement,” said Mr Lewis.

GolfSixes helped attract many families new to the game. Picture by MATT GREAVES

GolfSixes Leagues led the way

THE Golf Foundation introduced just under 50,000 young players to golf clubs across England, Scotland and Wales, in 2019.

And its new GolfSixes Leagues have already proved hugely successful in bringing whole families into the game, with extra spending in clubhouses and pro shops.

From the 364 fixtures held last year, 38 per cent of parents were non-golfers who enjoyed a “warm welcome” at golf clubs across the country, the Foundation’s research found.

Mr Lewis added: “We must continue to encourage new families into the sport.”

The guidelines have been sent to clubs and PGA coaches in the Golf Foundation network.

They can be viewed at https://www.golf-foundation.org/clubs/hsbc-golf-roots-centres/don-t-forget-our-young-golfers

* Find out more about the Golf Foundation’s work at www.golf-foundation.org

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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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