2005: Another Successful Year for Junior and Beginner Golf
Coaching
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”.
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