FIELDREPORT
Partnership network, which sees each county’s
development manager working with England Golf’s regional manager network to increase regular participation and improve opportunities for people to get into the game.
Currently there are 337 English golf clubs actively involved in Get into Golf, though naturally Roberts
would like the figure to be higher.
“All projects are to be concluded by the end of the year, so following this we will have details of final numbers, including numbers of regular participants and new members generated plus details of what successful projects were delivered – real detail on the types of activities and programs which have generated results.” Play More Golf will support the England Golf Partnership’s ongoing Get into Golf campaign (
www.getintogolf.org), launched in 2012. Get into Golf is executed through the County Golf
“The counties having the greatest success are the ones who are most closely involved with their golf clubs and the club managers and club pros, really working with them on what each club’s offer is, and developing that,” she informs. “For example the Cornwall Golf Partnership has achieved great results through its ‘Learn Golf in a Day’ scheme, followed by five sessions. It’s encouraging to see different approaches being adopted, including the ‘Tee it Up’ initiative at Perranporth, helping newcomers to experience the game by using a shorter format. Falmouth Golf Club has been working in partnership with Falmouth Pitch and Putt, which offers a shorter, beginner-friendly version of the game.
“Meanwhile in Dorset, clubs have engaged to support a Ladies’ Tour within the county. The Tour, hosted by local golf clubs, is designed to introduce beginner ladies to the game. The club provides beginner and intermediate sessions and activities so ladies can be introduced to a club local to them. Coaching fees are one set
price and are agreed between the coach and management team.
“A database of participants is collected to enable follow up communication with regard to future playing and membership offers and opportunities. At the end of 2013, 98 ladies had signed up and 40 had become members.”
Aſter an extensive
review process that took into account project strength, return on investment, club contribution and local engagement, we have decided to approve 144 schemes.
Despite the recent number slide, England Golf believes the picture is not as gloomy as many make out. Golf remains the fifth largest participation sport in England, and while club membership numbers have fallen, that is balanced to an extent by a rise in the number of itinerant golfers. The British Golf Industry Association-driven National Golf Month back in May, designed to inspire new golfers and revive lapsed ones, was well supported; and there are now 766 English golf clubs that can boast GolfMark accreditation, awarded by England Golf to clubs that meet junior and beginner-friendly criteria.
“Our strategic plan up to 2017 will continue to support clubs pursuing inclusive and nurturing activities,” Roberts concludes. “England Golf has set a target of growing once- a-week golfers from 710,400 to 910,000 by March 2017, while slowing the decline in club membership.
“Our ultimate goal is to make England the world’s leading golf nation by 2020: and if clubs continue to embrace the concept of growing the game, anything is possible.”
Image copyright- Leaderboard Photography SGBGOLF 15
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