FROM OUR COUNTY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Debbie Casling

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

For all those who have not met me yet (not many I hope), my name is Debbie Casling and I have been with the County Golf Partnership since July 2008 as County Development Officer.

I am pleased to report that we now have 10 clubs with the GolfMark Accreditation and 1 RangeMark Accreditation going to Bristol Golf Centre (Hambrook Driving Range). This is the first stand-alone range in the South West to attain these standards.

As club coaching grants will only be available for GolfMark Clubs from 2010 – 2013, I am hoping that many more of you will consider this very worthwhile accreditation.

For more information check out www.golfmark.org

I have also noted an increase in awareness of the National Skills Challenge – this is a free resource available to clubs and a great aid to coaching. www.getintogolf.org/skills

In 2009 a SW Regional Final Pilot was held at The Kendleshire Golf Club for the National Skills Challenge – but unfortunately Gloucestershire was not represented!  I am hoping to organize a County Challenge Event for 2010 using the National Skills Challenge as a resource. However, that will depend on how many clubs are using the Challenge.

We held three ‘City Day’ events during 2009, all at Cheltenham Race Course. Two were held on  Car Boot Sundays and the third on a Race Day in amongst the punters.  We took Tri-Golf and Golf Extreme for members of the public to have a taste of golf and also to provide further information on golf available in their areas.  City Days planned for 2010 will move to the south of the County. 

The new Junior Academy (formerly Club & Coach) Programme is up and running with great success.  The first taster sessions were held in October with over 130 children attending.  The standard was so high that it was a hard job to choose just 56 youngsters for the first academy sessions.  Two players excelled at this first session and were asked to join the County Training Programme.  Further tasters are being held in April with the Summer Academy being planned. 

The Partnership is not only interested in helping youngsters – we also arranged taster sessions in the North and South of the County for ladies.  These were so over subscribed we had to increase the number of sessions.  As a follow-up Beginner Ladies’ Away Days were organized for the Spring and Autumn held at Ullenwood Golf Course and again with resounding success. 

We are also pleased to receive continued support from the Pied Piper Appeal who in 2009 purchased Tri-Golf and Golf Extreme Equipment and in 2010 will part fund an Inflatable Golf Net for use in the County

For Information about any of the above and other initiatives available check out the Partnership website:  www.gloucestershiregolfpartnership.org

Events being planned for 2010 are well underway. We are hoping to engage more Professionals and were pleased with the interest shown following our recent Professional Seminar.

For 2010 we have:

·         Rules & Etiquette Roadshows for lady newcomers to the game

·         Ladies’ and Mixed Taster Sessions for the North and South of the County

·         Equipment Hire for those new to the game and also for clubs holding festivals.

·         Opportunities for Junior Organisers and others to become Level 1 Coaches and assist their professionals and the Partnership in their activities.

·         Assist their professionals and the Partnership in their activities.

·         City Days taking golf to the public.

·         Inclusion Opportunities for Special Needs Schools.

·         Junior Coaching Academies

·         Coach Development Opportunities for Professionals and Volunteers.

I am looking forward to a very busy 2010 and encouraging more people into the game of golf.  I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all Gloucestershire’s golf volunteers without whose help we could not have done half the events we held in 2009 and I look forward to seeing you all again in 2010.

Please feel free to contact me on gcdo@btinternet.com or 07968894812 for any information on the above or to book an appointment for a visit.  Keep an eye on our website which is being constantly updated with information: www.gloucestershiregolfpartnership.org