About Us
Over a centenary of looking after Cheshire golf clubs
What does your County do for you?
Cheshire Golf is the result of the unification of the Cheshire Union of Golf Clubs and the Cheshire County Ladies Golf Association on 23rd September, 2024. These two organisations came together, after over a century of harmonious co-existence, to present a single voice for golf within Cheshire.
Our mission, detailed below, is to promote and grow the game of golf in the county of Cheshire and to represent and support our affiliated Clubs.
Golf is one of the few sports that can be enjoyed by all age groups and abilities. With this in mind, Cheshire Golf runs county championships and tournaments for players of all ages, in team, pairs and individual formats.
Cheshire Golf identifies existing talent and, through its significant coaching program, develops the next generation of golfers to represent the County and beyond at a National Level. We’ve had significant success in producing national championship winners
We are able to offer particular advice and support to clubs on a number of topics including all aspects of the World Handicapping System, rules of golf (including disputes) and disciplinary matters. We also run seminars and workshops for clubs on a variety of subjects. We undertake course ratings for WHS purposes.
Cheshire Golf also operates the County Card scheme which provides members of affiliated clubs a card that permits them to access discounted green fees at the vast majority of English clubs.
notable cheshire players
We’ve had significant success in producing national championship winners and players who have represented their country. Most recently Daniel Hayes has won the Carris Trophy and represented GB&I Boys as well as England at Boys and Mens levels.
Notable players who have benefitted from our coaching and player development programs and have gone on to success in the professional ranks include Paul Waring, David Horsey, Bronte Law, Jamie Donaldson, Joanne Morley and Matt Jordan. Thanks to our player development programs, Cheshire are in a position where its representative County Teams are able to successfully compete against their peers. We are working hard to preserve, enhance and advance the quality of golf throughout the county of Cheshire.
Mission Statement
To encourage our affiliated members to promote and grow the game of golf in the county of Cheshire in a safe and friendly environment, welcoming everyone, irrespective of age, gender or ethnicity. To represent and support the Clubs in introducing and providing a broad range of competitive golf for their members, whatever their level of ability
Objectives
To further the interest of Amateur Golf in Cheshire
To assist clubs in correctly operating the World Handicapping System
To undertake and review course ratings as required under WHS
To encourage and develop players to County and International standard. This includes a significant investment in delivering comprehensive coaching to young golfers
To arrange the following events:
Amateur Championships of the County , County Team Championship, Boys, Girls and Junior Championships, Inter-County Matches within the Northern Counties league and Championships.
To organise and maintain the facilities of the Cheshire Card, and the County Membership Scheme, also known as the Life Members Association.
To co-operate with other County Golf Unions, England Golf, R&A and other golf bodies in such a manner as to promote the game at county and national level.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET INVOLVED?
We are always looking for people to join the board as a director, but there are also opportunities to help develop golf without becoming a Board Director. If you are interested in one or more of the following areas, please contact County Secretary, Steve Doughty at secretary@cheshiregolf.org.uk or on 01244 678004 with your area of interest and expertise and your contact details. Steve or one of the Board Directors will then follow this up with a personal telephone call.
We are always looking for additional people to help in the following areas:
Finance & Accountancy
Marketing & Business Development
Event Management of County Championships and County Matches
Social Media / Web Development
Golf Course Assessment Surveys
Coaching Junior Teams
policies, rules & important documents
SAFEGOLF accreditation for Cheshire received in early 2021 from England Golf.
The County’s policy documents on young people and vulnerable adults can be found by clicking on the below.
CGL Safeguarding Adults Policy Septembeer 2024
CGL Safeguarding Children and Young People Policies Procedures September 2024
Safe Golf Certificate – Cheshire Union – 2024
Safe Golf Certificate – Cheshire County Ladies Golf Association 2024
We are here to help with any queries on Safe Golf accreditation.
It is also best to speak with Ben Johnson on 077702 555564
and ben.johnson@englandgolf.org as Cheshire’s Club Support Officer at England Golf.
Steve Doughty, County Secretary secretary@cheshiregolf.org.uk
David Durling, County Welfare Officer ddurling@btinternet.com
Golf Course Rating
INTRODUCTION
Over the last years our all the courses in the County have been rated and you will now be familiar with the ‘slope’ rating for your own course and tees.
We are now commenced a 10 year cycle to re-rate all courses in the county.
All courses will be re-rated using the USGA system and this will occur progressively over the next 10 years with priority being given to new courses and courses which have significantly changed since they were last rated.
USGA COURSE RATING & RATERS
Since men’s and women’s courses are now being rated on the same basis, Cheshire have a group of raters led by Jim McBride. Anyone interested in helping, please contact Steve Doughty at secretary@cheshiregolf.org.uk
The Task
There are 93 Affiliated Golf Clubs in Cheshire. The England Golf requirement is to complete USGA Course Rating at 10 year intervals. All Tees are to be rated from a Scratch and Bogey Perspective
The Work
Teams of 3 or 4 take 4 to 5 hours to rate a course. Subsequent administration requires 20 minutes per tee.
Cheshire were an early signatory to the England Golf EDI policy. Further details are contained in the attached document.
2024 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The 12th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the Cheshire Union of Golf Clubs Limited was held at Sandiway Golf Club on Tuesday 6th February, 2024
Steve Doughty, Company Secretary,
CUGC Ltd Accounts, year to 31st October 2023 Signed Accounts 2023
County Treasurer’s Report for the Accounts to 31 October 2023 Treasurer Year End Report
Any Club wishing to nominate someone to the CGL Board, please contact Steve Doughty at secretary@cheshiregolf.org.uk
Extraordinary General Meeting of The Cheshire Union of Golf Clubs Limited at Sandiway Golf Club was held on Monday 23 September 2024
The Proposed Unification of The Cheshire Union of Golf Clubs Limited (“the Union”) and The Cheshire County Ladies Golf Association Limited (“the Association”) was approved at the meeting.
https://cheshiregolf.org.uk/unification-update/
The Articles of Association of the new unified company Cheshire Golf Limited are included below.
Articles of Association of Cheshire Golf Limited 2024
Steve Doughty, Company Secretary
The following link will take you to a news item about the EGM.
County Officials
BOARD MEMBERS 2024 (ELECTED FROM AFFILIATED CLUBS)
Cleve McCurdy
Chair
Josh Sims
Player Develpment Director
Simon Danger
Clubs Director incl. County Dinner
Christina Hornsby
England Golf & Northern Counties Director
Morgan de Vos
Golf Development Director
Dave Kimpton
Finance Director
Tracy McGregor
Communications Director
Stewart Neil
Championships & Competitions Director
TEAM CAPTAINS & MANAGERS
Peter Barber
Men's Team Captain
Denise Burchell
Ladies Team Captain
Martin Keates
Men's Seniors Manager
Barbara Jameson
Ladies Senior Captain
Andrew Henshall
Boys Manager
Cathy Day
Girls Manager
Join a Cheshire Golf Club
Cheshire Golf 93 Affiliated clubs amounting to over 40,000 playing members. There are a wide range of golf courses within Cheshire offering varied challenges to every level of golfing skill from the Open Championship venue of Royal Liverpool through to player friendly 9 hole courses; there is a course in Cheshire to suit every need. There is even a Golf Club purely for Junior golfers. Though many of our courses are in a rural setting, the large conurbations of the Wirral, Warrington and Manchester are well represented, offering courses which are green oasis with varied wildlife.
Becoming a member of a Golf Club has many benefits of which unlimited access to a golf course is the major one. Golf Clubs generally have a very active social calendar attracting a wide cross section of the community. For the more competitive golfer, there are many opportunities to test your golfing ability against your fellow members. A member is entitled to an official WHS Handicap, recognised throughout the world. Our golf clubs always offer a warm welcome to new members and visitors. Join a Golf Club and you will have sport for a lifetime where you will make lifetime friends.
Golf Club members also become members of Cheshire Golf England Golf. As a member of Cheshire Golf you are entitled to receive a free County Card which entitles the holder to play a round of golf at over 1800 golf clubs in 30 different County Unions throughout England at a reduced rate.
If you are interested in joining a Cheshire Club, you will find a page listing all of our 93 Affiliated Clubs with a direct link to the clubs’ own website. Contact the Club Secretary who will be able to advise you of the membership categories available. Many clubs offer reduced playing rights at a reduced rate, ideal for those with limited amount of time.
Steve Doughty
County Secretary
Phone 01244 678004 or email – secretary@cheshiregolf.org.uk