Northumberland Club in drive to attract more Lady Golfers to the game

A Northumberland golf club is serving up an innovative approach to welcoming new members.

Bellingham Golf Club – which can be found in North Tyne Valley, 16 miles north of Hexham – has been supporting the Northumberland County Golf Partnership’s drive to encourage more women to take up golf.

Now it is to create a three-month Café Golf Club membership for the ladies who have taken advantage of the free lessons on offer from the club’s PGA professional, Martin Forster.

As well as further coaching, the ladies will be taken out on the course with existing members as well as enjoying competitions of their own during the summer months.

Says Ladies Captain Di Hutchinson: “We have a small Ladies Section and have welcomed the opportunity provided by the Northumberland CGP to offer free coaching to ladies interested in taking up the game of golf.

“Along with PGA professional Martin Forster’s coaching and the support of existing lady members, we have had 12 ladies enrol in the lessons, which in the economic climate and for a club which is considered to be ‘out in the sticks’, is very good.

“These ladies have brought new life into the club and their enthusiasm is refreshing while our existing lady members have been very supportive and made them very welcome.”

Says Ian Harvey, development officer for the Northumberland CGP: “Bellingham are one of a number of clubs in the county who have taken advantage of the support available through the CGP to offer a way into the sport for those interested in giving golf a try.

“The fact that the existing lady members have been so supportive and welcoming is a key factor in the success of Bellingham’s first Get into golf project as it helps dispel some of the misconceptions surrounding the sport and reflects the latest research that shows people interested in trying golf consider a friendly welcome from the club among their top priorities.

“The CGP’s free Women’s Coaching Campaign gave clubs an opportunity to deliver Get into golf coaching to attract new ladies to their club, completely funded by the Partnership.

“Ten clubs took up the offer, delivering four weeks of hourly group sessions which attracted more than 100 participants.

“Clubs have since provided various follow on and further coaching opportunities to retain those taking part.”

Get into golf is a national campaign to inspire adults to take up the game and is run by the England Golf Partnership through its network of County Golf Partnerships, supported by Sport England and National Lottery funding.

Get into golf opportunities include FREE taster session and low-cost beginner courses with PGA professionals. They are a fun and sociable way to start golf – and a great way to make new friends.

To find your nearest centre visit getintogolf.org and look at the activity map or call 0800 118 2766

You can follow Get into golf on Twitter twitter.com/getintogolf or on Facebook at  facebook.com/Getintogolf

For more details on the work of the Northumberland CGP visit www.northumberlandcgp.co.uk