Rhuddlan get top award
Rhuddlan golf club have helped secure their future by revamping their junior scheme - while earning themselves the chance to watch the Ryder Cup at first hand.
They have received the Junior GolfCert Higher Award from Golf Development Wales, to show that their junior structures are in line with the best possible practice.
As one of the 16 clubs in Wales to earn Junior GolfCert status they have earned tickets to the practice days of the Ryder Cup when it comes to Wales next September and October.
"We are just so proud of our juniors," said club secretary Jill Roberts. "We have 123 juniors and the majority of them are boys so we are trying hard to get the girls in as well.
"We do a couple of taster session schemes for the girls every year."
Central to Rhuddlan's success are junior organisers Vera Savage and Ted Lloyd, who is also president of the Golf Union of Wales.
While the effort on the ground is obviously a key element, another crucial part of Rhuddlan's success has been the structure and guidance on offer through Golf Development Wales.
"I think the Junior Golf Cert scheme has certainly helped focus everyone at Rhuddlan - they have taken the benefits of the scheme and really taken it forward. I am very proud of them," said North Wales Golf Development Wales officer Dilwyn Griffiths.
Roberts explained how Junior GolfCert. has helped them make the most of what was already in place.
"Vera and Ted are two of the best junior organisers because they throw everything at the juniors," she said.
"I think we have come on in leaps and bounds, with Vera's experience as a schoolteacher while Ted is a gem who takes the kids under his wing. It really has progressed in the last couple of years with a structure there.
"They organise competitions every week, as well as special events like Easter egg hunts - I suppose other clubs do it too, but we are really proud of what they do
"The planning has been helped by working towards the GolfCert. It has got to be more structured and you have to look ahead to see what you have to do to improve.
"This has to be renewed every two years so it keeps you on the ball. It shows we are up to date with legislation and so on as well.
"We have been able to introduce procedures to deal with all situations and fill some of the gaps.
"We have a junior captain and vice captain who work with the main council of the club and they are involved with everything, we try to involve them as part of the team because those juniors are our future.
"They are not just children who come along and play, they will keep us sustained in the future as the members of the club."
For information about how to apply for Junior GolfCert please visit www.golfdevelopmentwales.org. Also to assist clubs in achieving Junior GolfCert Golf Development Wales has just launched a new junior golf guide website with downloadable documents and film clips www.juniorgolfguide.org
Picture - L-R, Rhuddlan club secretary Jill Roberts, Golf Development Wales manager Hannah James, club captain Glyn Lewis, junior organiser Vera Savage, North Wales Golf Development officer Dilwyn Griffiths, junior organiser and Golf Union of Wales president Ted Lloyd.