West Midlands Round-up: Warwickshire’s Summer of Golf aims to get people playing
The Summer of Golf has got underway in Warwickshire with the launch of a scheme to take the sport out of its traditional setting and make it more accessible than ever.
Families and other would-be players will be offered free weekly coaching throughout the summer at pitch and putt courses in Harborne, Solihull and Coventry.
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A loyalty scheme to encourage more people to play more often will offer benefits such as individual lessons, driving range balls and green fees at local clubs.
The summer project is being run on collaboration with local authorities and Mytime Active, operators of Harborne Church Farm. Marg Mayne, chief executive of Mytime Active, said: “We want to welcome people of all ages to come and try out golf in a relaxed and fun way with no strings attached.”
‘We want to welcome people of all ages’ The Summer of Golf is part of England Golf’s ongoing aim of attracting more people into the game.
“We want to let more people know that golf really is great fun and easier to access than many realised, as well as challenging any existing barriers to the sport, ” said chief executive David Joy.
Dairy farming golf captain raising hospice funds
Netherseal dairy farmer Sarah Shaw is taking time off from feeding calves to support the Donna Louise Trust.
Shaw is lady captain at Branston and said: “It’s a great honour and privilege to be elected lady captain where I know so many friendly faces.”
Shaw’s husband, Colin, was also captain at the club and each day the couple milk over 300 cows at their South Derbyshire farm.
A fund-raising event is taking place at Branston Pavilion on May 22 and includes a performance by comedian Patrick Monahan.
Club captain Tim Winn is also raising funds for the Donna Louise Trust and this month is rowing from the Tower of London to the Eiffel Tower.
The club aims to raise more than £30,000 for the hospice throughout the year.
Short game area opens at Norwood Park
A short game facility has opened at Norwood Park with the support of the Olympic Legacy Fund.
Team GB badminton player Peter Mills is a member at the club and said: “I am so impressed with the new short game area. It’s an excellent sporting facility for Nottinghamshire.”
Norwood Park was runner-up in the England Golf GolfMark Club of the Year award and also won the NCC Nottinghamshire Sports Club of the Year 2015 prize.
Club captain shoots albatross
Chipping Norton captain Richard Squires shot an albatross at the 504-yard par 5 during the Past and Present Captains competition.
The 57-year-old, who plays off nine, told the Oxford Mail: “I hit it well, but we spent time looking for the ball on the fringes of the green.
“Someone said ‘check the hole’ and it was amazing to see it in there.”
Former professional Neal Rowlands is the only other person to have recorded an albatross at the club.
Letchworth win Hertfordshire Senior Champion Club event
A familiar name was engraved on the Bailey Bowl after Letchworth won the Senior Champion Club event at Bishops Stortford.
The event has only seen three different winners during its history, with Moor Park having been victorious for the previous five years.
However, with Moor Park players Jeff Duffy and Douglas Cameron scoring a 10 and a 7 respectively on the 408-yard 18th, Letchworth secured the win by just two shots.
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