Hazel Grove Golf Club are extremely proud of the success of their junior team over recent years and are looking to continue the growth and success of their juniors.
At the heart of their achievement is junior organiser Kathie Glazier and she outlined the exciting developments since she took over the role of Junior Organiser.
Kathie said “I have been acting as Junior Organiser since 2011. It’s been a long time and is a job that brings its own challenges and rewards. I currently run the section with my son, James, who came to golf through the junior section himself.”
“We have been exceptionally successful with our junior teams over time. In the last few years we have won the BMW Knockout twice, the Derbyshire & Cheshire Net and Gross leagues and in 2024, on our first attempt, the Mid-Cheshire Junior League and the North West Junior Leagues Trophy.”
The club has attracted some exceptional players over the years that have helped to form their competitive teams. Kathie told us “The core of this is the degree of competition we encourage every week for the juniors all year round. We mix inexperienced players with the more experienced players, and some of our past juniors are Junior Mentors.”
Hazel Grove offer a number of trophy competitions and boards showcasing junior achievement with winners of the year. At the Major Presentations, Juniors are recognised alongside full members.
Kathie also highlighted the importance of strong parental support and the club’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding; “We have all our safeguarding procedures in place which we are always looking to improve, if we can, to ensure all juniors are safe and happy.” The Club’s professional team offer weekly coaching and summer holiday camps such that the juniors continue to enjoy their golf and feel part of something special.
“We have strong support from our Club Officials and the membership in general. The members sponsor most competitions and help us provide generous prizes to the juniors throughout the year. Juniors can enter the Club’s Saturday competitions if they have a handicap of 28 or less and will be rewarded if they get a place in the prizes. They can also win the Club Championship scratch competition and any team competitions they enter.”
“The main focus we have for our juniors is that they are enjoying their golf and feel like they are a part of something. Prizes do help as being rewarded for their efforts is always positive, but creating a friendly, supportive and caring atmosphere means they are far more likely to enjoy their golf and stick with it as they age out of the section. As a result many of our past juniors are still members today.”
Copy and Images; Geoff Garnett