Junior Golf in Essex

Sarah Bennett PGA Fellow Head Teaching Professional at Three Rivers Golf Club started to lay the foundation to help to grow Junior Golf in Essex. One objective was to develop the current junior section at Three Rivers Golf Club which included an introductory coaching and playing pathway for new players.

The Golf Foundation kindly provided their support for the project and I am delighted that much of the groundwork is now in place for 2016 and beyond, but there is much hard work ahead. I look forward to demonstrating the benefits of such a programme with improved opportunities for new players.

I introduced a loyalty card scheme a few months ago started a Pro- active junior committee which now has a report slot in the monthly Newsletter amongst other new and exciting events which are all detailed in a comprehensive 2016 Junior specific calendar.

My latest inclusion was the introduction of the Junior Jubilees for those children new to the game designing their own logo for identity value and their own calendar detailing all the 2016 events for both sections.

A welcome cap is provided to each Junior Jubilee member upon signing up to the new Passport scheme which I modify utilising my TPI L2 Junior Coaching qualification each Saturday during their lesson.

Christmas Riviera was the brainchild of myself and Nick Fisk father to one of Sarah’s pupils who has just been selected for the inclusion of County participation. I believe these events can help to strengthen Junior Golf in Essex. The event is a step up to the Christmas Event I have been running for the past 5 years at the club. Father and son both said” It is a great chance to play with golfers you would not normally play with, plus a good team competition for the juniors”

It is fantastic to have the support and backing of another parent, Ivy recently won the Mighty Masters event in her age group. This was the first junior event Ivy had played also making the Regional finals of the past National Skills Challenge. Ivy participated in the Essex Girls beginners and improvers division finishing runner up.This has provided Ivy with the opportunity to mix with other girls her age including the girls at the club with Sarah’s coaching and personal guidance. Ivy has been a part of Sarah’s GolfingGirl group for 5 years now and is keen to let her friends know what a great game golf is.

The Christmas Riviera brought together current junior members with those who played a shortened

The Christmas Riviera brought together current junior members with those who played a shortened course along with Sarah’s Junior Jubilees! It was a tall order for Sarah but all worked fantastically with the membership already looking forward to the Spring version.

Leila said about the day ”It was fantastic seeing so many of the youngsters enjoying their golf, it was an opportunity for parents and members to encourage the juniors and lovely to see so many players taking part covering all ages and levels of golf”

“It was superb to integrate three levels of playing experience in 1 day all playing to their level of ability, the additional Festive extras such as Secret Santa always add to the occasion. I would like to thank the volunteers the Lady Captain Caroline and Wendy for their assistance with registration and all the members for supporting the day so close to Christmas. To make a “project” successful we need everyone’s support and input which I am confident as a club we certainly have”

The facilities at Three Rivers are ideal for the growth of Junior golf with our 4 top holes absolutely ideal for all aspects of the short game promoting creativity. The nature of the holes provides me with the coaching opportunity to introduce the course environment for the new player and junior like at an early stage, which is not always possible at a driving range.

I am looking forward to growing on the start of an exciting journey during 2016 and will be heavily involved with Girls Golf Rocks programme which again has a platform for the GolfingGirl groups I run to advance to. This is in addition to the 2016 second year’s event of the family GolfingGenerations which was set up last year attracting 26 players helping to grow Junior Golf in Essex.