Foundation for success

A Golf Foundation project to get more kids playing the game has been a huge success with one Northamptonshire school. 

Lings Primary had a dozen pupils aged between four and seven years of age sign up to a series of lessons. 

A year later they are all on the brink of becoming junior members at Overstone Park Golf Club. 

PE co-ordinator Anne Davies is thrilled with the commitment from pupils and parents. 

And she’s been backed all the way by Overstone head PGA Professional Brian Mudge who has kept all the youngsters inspired. 

Highlight of the course was trip to the British Masters at The Grove in Hertfordshire to see tour pros like Luke Donald and Lee Westwood in action on Wednesday. 

They took advantage of the fact that the Golf Foundation has been chosen by the European Tour as the official charity for the event. 

Then at the weekend, it will be the official membership event at Overstone when the dedicated dozen are welcomed to the club. 

Davies said: “All of the students have been amazing - they have been dedicated and worked hard to improve. They are practising all the time. 

“They have loved the event and their parents have been fantastic too, supporting them all the way. 

“We have all seen the benefits in terms of how much they have improved - and in class they are more confident, they show more resilience and perseverance which all comes from golf.” 

Overstone Park opened up the possibility when captain Steve Moore decided getting youngsters playing would be a major objective of his year in the chair. 

Mudge, a PGA Fellow Professional, designed a structured coaching plan, starting with the Golf Foundation’s Tri-Golf system. 

From there it developed into weekly coaching sessions and more lessons through the summer holidays. 

Davies and her 18-handicap son Thomas backed up Mudge’s work on the practice ground by laying on transport to ensure no-one missed out on the opportunity. 

The result is 12 youngsters who love golf - and in a few weeks 12 more from the school will start a second year of coaching. 

Mudge said: “Anne has been fantastic. Her dedication to this along with her son has been brilliant. 

“It was a great idea by the captain and it means we have had some enthusiastic youngsters learning. 

“The project has worked well. So well that next year’s captain - Mark Newton - is going to carry it on.” 

And word has spread in the local community. Now five schools are queuing up to get involved. 

Each year HSBC’s Golf Roots programme reaches around 500,000 children, giving them a chance to try the game. 

Alongside the Golf Foundation, they are leading the way in encouraging a new generation of young people to try the sport. 

And Ling Primary and Overstone Park Golf & Leisure Resort are shining examples of what can be achieved. 

Davies added: “It has been a wonderful experience for all of us.” 

Martin Crowder, National Development Manager for the Golf Foundation said: “We are delighted the Overstone Park youngsters enjoyed their day. 

“As the European Tour’s official charity for this event, we have the priceless privilege of meeting many families here and showing how their children can get started in golf. 

“We will also welcome 24 schools or golf club groups, some catering for youngsters with special needs. 

“As a charity, which seeks to offer the benefits of golf to more and more children the opportunity for us this week is priceless.”

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