GOLF RECOGNISES TOP VOLUNTEERS AND WORK DONE BY COUNTIES
The English Golf Union (EGU) and English Women’s Golf
Association (EWGA) celebrated with golf’s top volunteers
at the inaugural County Golf Development Conference, held
at Woodhall Spa.
The game’s regional representatives, the men’s
County Unions, women’s County Associations, the PGA
Regions, the Golf Foundation and the County Golf Partnerships,
attended the two-day conference. The event included presentations
by some of the sports experts and key note speaker Dr Frank
Dick OBE, in addition to the England Golf Partnership’s
Volunteer of the Year Awards 2008.
The EGU/EWGA Conference gave counties the opportunity to
network and gain examples of best practice, whilst learning
about funding and volunteer resources that are available to
support those involved in county golf development. There was
also the opportunity for counties to challenge their current
perceptions and think about longer term aspirations led by
Frank Dick’s challenge of “If not you, who? If
not now, when?”
Richard Flint, EGU/EWGA Development Manager commented, “This
is the first time the EGU/EWGA have got all counties organisations
together to solely discuss county golf development. Networking
and sharing best practice is key for all involved in golf
to help develop and enhance the game to new levels”.
The Conference also provided the stage for the England Golf
Partnership to host their first Volunteer Awards. Those winning
the accolades were all recognised as making an exceptional
contribution to golf development. The five winners were:
Ryan Lewis, Lancashire – Young Volunteer
June Poffley, Wiltshire – Club Development
Michael Hart, Essex – County Development
Joy Hunter, Yorkshire – Services to Golf
Joe Boyd, Isle of Man – Services to Golf
Plans are already underway to repeat the Conference in 2009
following some excellent feedback form the delegates.
Judi Walker, Suffolk said, “What a brilliant couple
of days. Not withstanding the wealth of information available,
the networking was invaluable.”
The County Golf Development Conference is an initiative jointly
provided by the EGU and EWGA via England Golf’s ‘Whole
Sport Plan’ for golf and is an integral part of England
Golf’s vision to ‘Grow the Game’.
Copies of the presentations and discussion notes are available
upon request from the EGU/EWGA Development Team at development@englishgolfunion.org
or contact 01526 354500.
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