West Midlands Round-up: Uttoxeter launches Golf Express
A campaign to encourage busy people to play golf in half the time has been launched at Uttoxeter.
The Staffordshire club welcomed 41 golfers who took part in the inaugural Golf Express competition.
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Staffordshire county development officer Gareth Shaw said: “This is what golf is all about, having time to play the sport we all love and also have time to socialise with friends following the round.”
Golf Express has been backed by 20 clubs across the county, offering 9-hole green fees and a loyalty card.
‘The time it takes to play the game is a barrier to the sport’ Twelve of the clubs are also offering golfers the opportunity to play in weekly, after-work roll-ups, which are open to non-members.
England Golf regional manager Iain Lancaster said: “The time it takes to play the game is a barrier to the sport. We are hoping that marketing the message that playing shorter rounds of golf to suit your available leisure time will be acted on by players new to the game, current golfers and even lapsed golfers, leading to an increase in golf participation across Staffordshire.”
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Golf Express is part of an England Golf project which is trialling innovative ways of increasing club membership and participation in the sport.
Research has shown that more than half of golfers are intimidated by 18 holes of golf and that a nine-hole option gives the beginner choice.
Family fun day at Walmley
More than 250 visitors attended Walmley when the club opened its doors for a family and friends fun day.
The open day featured a trickshot demonstration and gave the opportunity to sample the fast-growing sports of SpeedGolf and FootGolf.
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“The day was designed to welcome family, friends and neighbours of the club and let them have a flavour of what Walmley can offer,” said organiser Lawrie Thornton. “It was a great success, with a slice of luck from the weather, and I would like to thank our members and volunteers for making it such a happy day.”
Golfers get a flying start at Hope Works
An unusual hazard appeared at Hope Works recently, when an RAF Sea King landed on the course’s first fairway.
With Edale Mountain Rescue Team based next door, members have grown used to the sight of a helicopter interrupting their play.
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Hope Works’ Chris Megson said: “Obviously visiting golfers and new members can find this a little disconcerting. Although the R&A rules of golf covers more than 200 pages, this isn’t one of the hazards they refer to and it is probably unique to our course.
“We find it is generally wise to move on to the next hole as getting too close can result in hats and golf trolleys being blown across the course.”
King smashes course record and secures Frilford victory
Gary King set a new course record on his way to winning the Buildbase Open.
A 10-under par 62 was four shots better than the previous record on the Red Course.
King followed it up with rounds of 70 and 74 to finish two shots ahead of his nearest competition.
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