Stanedge Golf Club Receives England Golf’s GolfMark Award

Stanedge Golf Club is the latest Derbyshire Club to be awarded the national GolfMark accreditation demonstrating their hard work and dedication to both junior and beginner’s golf.

England Golf developed the GolfMark award to identify and acknowledge golf facilities in England that were junior and beginner friendly

The GolfMark award also integrates Sport England’s Clubmark award - a national standard for quality sports clubs recognised across the country.  More than 30 other sports, including tennis and rugby are also using the alliance to add value to their accreditation schemes and over 10,000 sports clubs have been awarded Clubmark or are working towards achieving accreditation.

There are a number of benefits that golf clubs can gain by achieving GolfMark accreditation, including increased membership, raising the club’s profile, further development of coaches and volunteers and greater access to funding.

GolfMark evaluates golf clubs on the following three areas within their junior section:

• Coaching & Playing
• Club Environment, including sports equity and ethics
• Child Protection & Duty of Care

The award will be proudly displayed at the club and will provide parents with the reassurance that the needs and safety of children have been thoroughly considered.

Nigel Furniss, Development Officer for the Derbyshire Golf Partnership, said: “Derbyshire Golf would like to congratulate Stanedge Golf Club, and in particular their Junior Organiser Phil Bradley, on being awarded GolfMark. This demonstrates the club's commitment to encouraging junior golf and creating opportunities for people to participate and enjoy the game of golf. All those involved in reaching this achievement deserve a vote of thanks.”

The Club’s Secretary, Ken Ferguson, added, “Stanedge Golf Club are fully committed to developing Junior Golf in the Chesterfield area, reflecting the enthusiastic and inclusive approach shown by our dedicated team. Derek Cooper having supported the juniors for 24 years and now Phil Bradley, our new Junior Organiser, have been instrumental in encouraging young golfers of all ages to take up and enjoy the game by organising coaching, matches, competitions and fun events. Derek and Phil have been supported by PGA professional Ricky Carvell who has been heavily involved in delivering coaching programmes at the club.”

Stanedge Golf Club, for the second year running, is currently providing free membership to Juniors up to the age of 18 (subject to maximum numbers). So if you are under 18 and looking to Get into Golf or join a golf club then now is a good time to contact Phil Bradley at Stanedge.

England Golf Development Officers continually conduct assessment meetings, offering advice and guidance to golf clubs on how to further enhance their junior sections and beginners initiatives as well as develop best practices.

The GolfMark award is an initiative jointly provided via the England Golf Partnership’s ‘Whole Sport Plan’ for golf.

Further information on GolfMark and a list of all GolfMark clubs can be found on the GolfMark website, www.golfmark.org.

For more details of the activities in Derbyshire visit www.derbyshiregolf.org