England Golf news and updates:

PRESS RELEASE

Faldo series committed to supporting England Golf beginners scheme
27-03-2006

The number of golf clubs signed up to offer ‘Free’ Golf Coaching taster sessions in 2006 has reached an all-time high of 250, with applications still coming in.

England Golf is delighted with this success and if any golf clubs want to take part there is still the opportunity to do so and claim £200 grant aid.

It is not only England Golf that has welcomed the success of this beginners’ scheme, however. Nick Faldo has once again recognised the important role of this grass roots initiative and is supporting the Free Golf Coaching campaign in 2006 through the Faldo Series.

The Faldo Series was set up in 1996 to help identify and nurture the next generation of champions. Through the Faldo Series, boys and girls are able to experience top-level competition at championship courses and also benefit through golf related seminars.

Commenting on the Free Golf Coaching scheme, Nick Faldo said “It is a pleasure to support such a beginner friendly scheme through my Faldo Series as encouraging people into golf is vital for the growth of the game”.

Richard Flint, Golf Development Manager commented, “Free Golf Coaching is not just an important initiative to encourage new golfers and members; it also helps to support golf clubs, by creating healthier and successful facilities”.

For information on which golf clubs have already signed up to the campaign visit www.getintgolf.org

Any golf clubs wishing to hold taster sessions and receive £200 grant aid can find out further information on www.englishgolfunion.org or www.englishladiesgolf.org

For details on Nick Faldo and the Faldo Series visit www.nickfaldo.com/series

The Free Golf Coaching funding is an initiative jointly provided by the English Golf Union and English Ladies Golf Association via the England Golf’s ‘Whole Sport Plan’ for golf.

Another Successful Year for Junior and Beginner Golf Coaching
24 March 2006

The English Golf Union (EGU) and English Ladies’ Golf Association (ELGA) are delighted to announce that 2005 was another hugely successful year for golf coaching at junior and beginner levels.

In order to evaluate the success of the Junior Club Coaching and the Free Taster Coaching sessions, which are run by clubs with the support of grants provided by the EGU and ELGA, the two organisations have recently audited those clubs who participated in both schemes last year.

593 clubs were involved in the Junior Club Coaching initiative, which represents the second highest level of participation in the seven years that the scheme has been running. On average, over 20 junior golfers received coaching at each golf club. This equates to almost 12,000 children across the country receiving golf coaching in 2005. Over 15% of participating children were girls.

The beginner’s taster session initiative was equally successful with the programme being offered by 193 golf clubs across England in 2005. Over 5,000 beginners, both adults and juniors, were introduced to golf through this scheme. Most promising was the fact that, of those beginners, 76%, representing almost 4,000 golfers, were still participating in the sport after a six-month period.

2006 looks like being another fantastic year for both grant aid schemes. Each has got off to a positive start in 2006 with over 500 golf clubs so far applying for the £125 Junior Club Coaching Grant and almost 300 golf clubs already seeking the £200 Free Golf Coaching Grant. As an extra incentive this year, and to provide further support to member golf clubs, the EGU and ELGA are also offering an extra £25 to any club that participates in both coaching initiatives.

Both schemes are delivered by PGA Professionals at each participating club, who provide the very best in golf tuition. The PGA represents over 5000 qualified professionals, each of whom is qualified to teach not only how best to swing a club but also is well versed in the rules and etiquette of the sport and is an expert in golfing equipment, and therefore best placed to advise juniors and beginners as to how to start off in the sport.

Richard Flint, Development Manager for the EGU commented, “We are very pleased with the feedback from clubs as to the success of the junior and beginners coaching initiatives. We now look forward to working hard to increase the number of opportunities for people to experience golf and become regular participants in the sport”

Previous Whole Sport Plan stories:

Beginners coaching initiative shows positive results
09-03-2006

Free Golf Coaching Funding receives fastest response ever
07-03-2006

GolfMark steps up a level with Sport England Clubmark alliance
28 February 2006

EGU and ELGA seek vital information from Golf Clubs
10 October 2005

English girls hit jackpot
26 July 2005

Champion success for ELGA’s lottery programme
24 May 2005

Growth of Golf swings into action.
18 March 2005

English Golf receives £8 Million boost.
03 January 2005

Working together for the good of the game. Members from the PGA, EGU, ELGA, Golf Foundation and Sport England join forces for the launch of the England Golf Partnership’s new Vision.
06 October 2004

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