Route 66 for South Pembs

Being a junior golfer at South Pembrokeshire golf club a year ago was a pretty lonely existence, the two of them could have held their meetings in a phone box.

Now a junior section get-together would need a huge hall as numbers have been increased to 66, showing the route forward in Wales.

That is just one example of how the introduction of golf development officers, thanks to a funding partnership between local authorities and Golf Development Wales, is having an impact on the golfing landscape in Wales.

Cardiff, Pembrokeshire, Anglesey and Gwynedd are all part of the scheme, with the numbers of junior golfers increasing across Wales – an extra 6,000 7-11 year-olds and an amazing 17,000 more 11-16 year-olds taking part, bringing the total an estimated 75,000, according to Sport Council for Wales figures.

But nowhere is that improvement more dramatic than Pembrokeshire and the South Pembs club in particular.

A year ago there was no PGA qualified professional, no qualified junior leaders, no junior coaching or competitions at the club – but then there were only two junior members.

Thanks to Golf Development Wales funding there have been Tri Golf Taster sessions set up with Pennar Junior School, coaching sessions at the club with members and a PGA pro, while the junior club structure has been strengthened thanks to a successful Community Chest grant application.

Now they have had to close the junior membership at 66, there is a new junior organiser and committee, Level 1 golf coaching in conjunction with a PGA Professional, regular junior competitions, they have even reclaimed and redecorated the junior room at the club and are working towards getting Junior GolfCert – the Golf Union of Wales junior club accreditation scheme.

Alan Jones is the golf development officer in Pembrokeshire, where now eight out of 10 clubs are running links with local schools, more than 600 pupils have had regular coaching and there are another two new junior sections at Priskilly and Rosemarket.

“It has been great to see, really fantastic, but it would not have happened if it were not for the money from Golf Development Wales,” said Jones, who is also a member at South Pembs.

“A little money has gone a long way, but that is thanks to the efforts of people such as Mick Seal and Stevie House who are responsible for organising the coaching, the competitions and reclaiming the junior room which was being used for storage.

“The funding kickstarted things, for instance we had never gone into the school 400 yards from the course before, but now it is all moving forward nicely.

“I am a member at South Pembs which maybe makes it easier, but it would have happened anyway and there are other great developments across Pembrokeshire such as the two new junior sections – all thanks to Golf Development Wales.

It is not just Pembrokeshire where the results are staggering, for instance more than 600 children in Cardiff have also had regular coaching, with a pay and play junior club being set up at the Par 3 Ryder Cup Wales legacy facility at Heath Park.

“It is a tremendous example of what can be done,” explained Golf Development Wales manager Hannah James.

“The participation numbers are up generally, but South Pembs is a really good case study to show the impact that a bit of funding and a lot of work can have.

“It is a sign of a club really helping themselves and the future of the South Pembs club is much stronger as a result.”

It is all part of Welsh golf making the most out of the 2010 Ryder Cup – and beyond.

Ends.

For more information contact Hamish Stuart,
Golf Union of Wales Media Manager.
Phone 07914 873451
E-mail Hamish@score-media.co.uk .