Mums & Daughters at Sandiway
CAPTION: Girls from the Grange Senior School and the 1st Castle Brownies are among the 176 golfing newcomers coached by the team from Sandiway Golf Club in Cheshire
Sandiway Golf Club – which achieved its target four years early – is now opening its doors for a mums and daughters event.
The free golf day takes place on Sunday, July 17 (10am) at the club on Chester Road.
And organisers say beginners are welcome – with the emphasis on having fun together!
Campaign co-ordinator and Sandiway member, Ruth Elliott-Smith, says: “As part of our four-year campaign to get more women and girls playing golf, we are holding a free mums v daughters contest for absolute beginners or those who have little golfing experience.
“It is a fun event which requires no special sporting skill or experience. Even if you believe you are no good at sport, you could discover golf is one you will love.
“We welcome all comers. Dads and sons can also take part on as long as they bring a mum and daughter with them!
“Grandparents can bring grandchildren. We want as many families taking part as possible. We will prove that not only is golf a great sport that anyone of any age can play, it offers a great social life, too.”
Juniors must be between six and 18 years old, but there is no age limit for mums and dads!
Club coach, Gareth Jones, and his assistant, Matt Dunbabin, will coach the adults and juniors separately, then the groups will join to compete against each other, followed by prize-giving with well-earned refreshments in the club house.
To take part contact Gareth or Matt on 01606-883180 or email: gareth.jones@foremostgolf.com.
The mums v daughters competition takes place during the week of The Open, July 11-17, at Royal Troon. It is sponsored by HSBC in partnership with the Golf Foundation in their national drive to get more families playing golf.
Since the 100 Golfing Girls campaign first began in January this year, Sandiway has coached 176 girls in local schools, 44 girls in its free monthly taster sessions at the club and enrolled five girls in the Golf Foundation’s Junior Passport Scheme through courses of heavily subsidised lessons. The club’s campaign is further supported by Active Cheshire.
Its success was featured on Sky Sports and the coverage can be found at the club website, www.sandiwaygolf.co.uk/
Alison Lysons, development officer for the Cheshire Golf Development Group which is working to support clubs attract more players, increase membership and develop a stronger future, says: “Sandiway’s drive to get more girls and ladies playing golf continues to go from strength.
“Not only is the 100 Golfing Girls campaign taking the sport out into the local community and reaching new people, but the club continues to find innovative ways to attract new players to the sport and club.
“It shows what can be achieved by a dedicated team with commitment and focus on what they are trying to achieve – and that there is a lot of interest in golf if we take the sport out into local schools, community groups and organisations as well as businesses.
“Golf has so much to offer players of all ages and abilities and the fact that it can be played across the age spectrum makes it ideal for families to enjoy quality and health time together.”
England Golf has named July as Family Golf Month and will lead a drive to attract all the generations to Get into golf together.
Clubs and driving ranges across the country are being invited to organise open days to highlight golf as a great game that can involve all the family.
England Golf is offering marketing support and a new Family Guidance booklet, which is packed with advice and ideas for events.
Get into golf is the national campaign to inspire adults to take up golf and play more often.
Run by England Golf and supported by Sport England National Lottery funding, it is delivered locally by golf clubs and PGA professionals offering a range of low-cost beginner courses and follow-on opportunities.
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
You can follow Get into golf on Twitter twitter.com/getintogolf or on Facebook at facebook.com/Getintogolf
