England Golf Press Release
(Image copyright Leaderboard Photography
An action plan has been launched to reverse a decline in young golfers joining clubs in Cheshire.
The number of junior members has dropped over recent years – but at the same time the number of under 18s playing some form of golf is growing.
Now the Cheshire men’s union and the women’s county association is working in partnership with England Golf to get more U18s playing and enjoying club golf.
David Durling, Deputy President of the Union, said: “We’ve got some great successes, like GolfSixes, Girls Golf Rocks and our county coaching schemes, so we know there’s plenty of interest in golf. But overall, the number of youngsters joining clubs is dropping at an alarming rate.
“This plan will help us to show them that golf is a great game and that golf clubs are a good place to be, where they can enjoy themselves with their friends.”
Lee Dolby, England Golf Young People Manager, added: “It has been really good to work with the county to help them look at how they plan to grow participation amongst young people and change their perception of the sport.
“We hope that the clubs will support this plan and get involved with the projects so that we can be successful.”
The aims of the new plan include taking golf out to young people, giving 4000 youngsters – or families – a taste of the game at non-golfing venues. It also wants 50 clubs to commit to connecting with local community youth groups
It believes young people should have a strong voice in the county and will consult them and involve them in decision making to help change the image of the game.
It also proposes that all clubs in the county should hold the SafeGolf accreditation by 2022, to show they offer a safe place for young golfers.
Other targets include supporting clubs to recruit more volunteers and to involve more parents.
It will be providing six-monthly updates on progress.
Cheshire is one of five counties working with England Golf on special projects to get more juniors involved in the sport. The others are Durham, Lincolnshire, Shropshire & Herefordshire and Somerset.
Now the Cheshire men’s union and the women’s county association is working in partnership with England Golf to get more U18s playing and enjoying club golf.
David Durling, Deputy President of the Union, said: “We’ve got some great successes, like GolfSixes, Girls Golf Rocks and our county coaching schemes, so we know there’s plenty of interest in golf. But overall, the number of youngsters joining clubs is dropping at an alarming rate.
“This plan will help us to show them that golf is a great game and that golf clubs are a good place to be, where they can enjoy themselves with their friends.”
Lee Dolby, England Golf Young People Manager, added: “It has been really good to work with the county to help them look at how they plan to grow participation amongst young people and change their perception of the sport.
“We hope that the clubs will support this plan and get involved with the projects so that we can be successful.”
The aims of the new plan include taking golf out to young people, giving 4000 youngsters – or families – a taste of the game at non-golfing venues. It also wants 50 clubs to commit to connecting with local community youth groups
It believes young people should have a strong voice in the county and will consult them and involve them in decision making to help change the image of the game.
It also proposes that all clubs in the county should hold the SafeGolf accreditation by 2022, to show they offer a safe place for young golfers.
Other targets include supporting clubs to recruit more volunteers and to involve more parents.
It will be providing six-monthly updates on progress.
Cheshire is one of five counties working with England Golf on special projects to get more juniors involved in the sport. The others are Durham, Lincolnshire, Shropshire & Herefordshire and Somerset.
