Seniors at centre of golf drive for all ages

The Seniors golf tournament in Porthcawl may be limited to players over the age of 50, but the event has inspired a drive for golf development which is aimed at all ages.

The Welsh Golf Awareness Week is a new initiative being launched this year by Golf Development Wales and supported by the R&A, trying to break down the barriers for people getting into golf.

With a strong family emphasis, the week will offer an exciting programme of schools activities and festivals, training for future volunteers and opportunities for families to learn and play together at their local golf club.

All children involved in the week will be invited to attend the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, and see the stars such as Ian Woosnam in action.

‘It is great to see that players who have been on the tour are giving up their time to inspire some of the future players of the sport,” explained Golf Development Wales’s South Wales development officer Zoe Thacker

“We hope that this week with increase awareness, increase opportunities and increase the number of people playing the sport.

“Golf Development Wales aims to take advantage of this popular week for golf in Bridgend by generating awareness of the opportunities available for people to take up this fantastic sport.

“During the week a number of clubs are engaging in a wide range of activities designed to attract more participants.

“Coed-Y-Mwstwr and Maesteg are two such golf clubs who are thinking differently in their approach to breaking down the barriers and attracting newcomers.

“During the week they are running school golf festivals in partnership with Bridgend County Council Sports Development team.

“These festivals will involve over 200 local primary and secondary school children participating in fun Tri-Golf and Golf Xtreme activities at their comprehensive schools.

“These children will be invited to the Seniors Tour event at the weekend and also invited to bring along their family members to a free, fun taster day with the PGA Golf Professionals at their local clubs, being held the week after.

“Following on from the taster session, the families will be given the opportunity to have a course of lessons at the club and offered a trial membership with the hope that they will take up the sport for life.

“The clubs will endeavour to create a positive environment for anyone thinking of learning and joining.

“Golf Development Wales in partnership Glamorgan County Juniors, Ryder Cup Wales and the European Seniors Tour will be running a Junior Pro Am for aspiring young county players as well as junior clinics for club juniors and Glamorgan county girls.”

So the best Senior players in Europe are helping to inspire a burst of golfing activity around the Bridgend area that should be of benefit for years to come.