‘Buddies Scheme’
Caption: Heaton Moor Golf Club buddies (left to right)Doreen Roberts (buddy), Jackie Bickley (buddy), Margaret Worrall (organiser of Taster Day and coaching sessions), Susan Quilligotti (trial member), Vivien Heighway (Lady Captain), Liz Craig (organiser of Taster Day and coaching sessions), Margaret Ogilvie and Ann Marie Gilbert (both trial members).
Heaton Moor Golf Club, near Stockport, linked newcomers to its Ladies Get into golf sessions with existing club members to take away some of the misconceptions about the sport.
The volunteer buddies were able to offer an insight into how the sport offers so many health and social benefits and why going on to become a golf club member opens up a friendly new activity, both on and off the course.
The club, which was formed in 1892, had formed a special ladies project team – led by Margaret Worrall and Liz Craig – using support material supplied by England Golf and the Get into golf programme to attract more women into the sport.
More than 2,500 leaflets were delivered in the area plus details were posted on the club website and Facebook page.
The initial free taster session – run by the club’s PGA professional Simon Marsh – was attended by 27 women, with the majority signing up for further low cost coaching.
A team of coaching/playing buddies was recruited from the ladies section to support the project.
Says Margaret Worrall: “At the taster sessions, the ladies get the chance to experience putting, short iron play and spend some time in the clubhouse chatting to our buddies. We gave them all name stickers, which quickly breaks down the barriers to chatting to each other. We had to plan more coaching sessions because the uptake has been so good.
“It can be intimidating to take up a new sport and start out at a club where you do not know anyone, but our buddies help make that as easy as possible and quickly become a friendly face our new players know.
“Going out on the full-sized course for the first time can also be a bit daunting but our buddies go out with the players and show them things like marking the card, for example. We play a Texas Scramble over three holes, which is very popular and a great introduction to the fun of the sport.”
Now the club is to run further ladies taster sessions to meet demand.
Sean Hammill, county officer for the Cheshire Golf Development Group which works with clubs to attract new players and retain existing members, said: “The commitment shown by Heaton Moor has paid off with an impressive number of ladies giving golf a go – and finding they enjoy it.
“The buddies scheme is a great way of making the move into golf as easy and welcoming as possible.
“A lot of people have entirely the wrong impression about the sport and the clubs. Once they take the plunge, they find that the clubs are more than welcoming, that expert coaching is available to help them get to grips with the skills required to play and that golf provides a healthy activity with a strong social side to it.
“It is a sport that can be played by all ages and abilities and there has never been a better time to take up the sport because the clubs are making it so easy with free taster sessions, discounted golf coaching and membership deals.
“Heaton Moor Golf Club has made the most of the support that is available through England Golf and the Get into golf marketing packages that signpost the way and provide materials that allow a club to raise the profile of their scheme in the local community. The pay-off for Heaton Moor has been an increased number of ladies enjoying taster sessions, follow up coaching and in some case club membership.”
The club is accessed from Mauldeth Road in Heaton Mersey and is just a few minutes from Junction 1 of the M60 motorway (Stockport Town Centre).
Get into golf is a national campaign to inspire new golfers run by the England Golf Partnership through its network of Golf Development Groups, which work to grow the game.
Get into golf opportunities include free or low-cost beginner courses with PGA professionals. They are a fun and sociable way to start golf – and a great way to make new friends.
To find your nearest centre visit getintogolf.org and look at the activity map or call 0800 118 2766
For more details on the work of the Cheshire GDG visit www.cheshiregolfpartnership.com
