Blyth Enjoy Festival Of Fun
Sep 4 2008 The Journal
Following on from the successes of the last two years, Blyth Golf Club has held their third Junior Festival of Golf. The Festival has been designed to provide two days of fun and sport for young people throughout the region by promoting and developing "grass roots golf" for youngsters of all ages, who may be interested in playing golf.
Blyth Golf Club in partnership with Blyth Valley Arts and Leisure and Blyth & Bedlington Schools Partnership have clubbed together with support from the English Golf Union and The Golf Foundation to encourage junior players to take up the game.
The two-day festival held at Blyth Golf club in New Delaval, Newsham was free of charge to visitors and activities on the agenda included: PGA professional tuition, competitions, pitch and putt as well as advice about equipment and where to play.
The festival is part of the club's junior development programme. This was set up eight years ago when members realised action need to be taken to get more young people, especially girls, playing golf.
Steven Ellis, Blyth Golf Club's junior development officer said: "Last year we saw a dramatic increase in the number of children enjoying the sport, during the professional Saturday morning lessons. Additionally as part of an EGU initiative we are using the golf festival to promote and encourage parents and grandparents to take up the game. Blyth Golf Club is to hold separate female and gentlemen free taster sessions, for further information on registration please contact the club."
Another milestone for the club due in no small part to the unstinting work of former Secretary and Junior Organiser, Wilson Paxton, Blyth Golf Club has achieved the much coveted Golfmark and Clubmark accreditations. Not only this, but it has received the Golfmark High Achiever status, becoming one of only twenty golf clubs in the country and the first in Northumberland to achieve this.
Golfmark is achieved by having to meet the high standards required by the EGU and EWGA in Coaching and Playing, Club Environment (including Sports Equity and Ethics) and Child Protection and Duty of Care.
Clubmark was awarded by Sport England after meeting high quality standards in the Playing or Participating Programme, Duty of Care and safeguarding and protecting children, Sports Equity and Ethics, Club Management.
During the festival, club captain Michael Culley was presented with the awards by Jason Budd from the English Golf Union (pictured above).
For more information about the festival, contact Steve Ellis on 07837 707896m or Jim Ferguson 07930 131866m, alternatively visit the club website www.blythgolf.co.uk
