25/04/2022
Grange Park are launching a fantastic initiative to bring more juniors into the game.
The St Helens club are offering complimentary membership, a set of junior clubs, two one-to-one lessons every month with a PGA professional, access to weekly group coaching sessions and clothing courtesy of everyshotcounts as part of a brilliant package.
The lucky boy or girl, aged five and above, will have the financial burden of getting into the game taken away and the chance to receive some first-class coaching and play at the picturesque parkland course.
The idea came about through a conversation with the club’s junior organiser Carlo Albanese, who has his own junior clothing line with everyshotcounts, and he put the club in touch with the Elexis Brown Foundation.
This foundation has come about through tragic circumstances after Elexis Brown passed away in August of last year at the age of just 13. In her sadly short time playing the game she was lucky enough to become a member at Woodhall Spa, getting her handicap down to 8.5 and played for the Lincolnshire girls’ team. In 2021 she was crowned the Under 14 county champion.
“Carlo put me in touch with the Elexis Brown Foundation and we have built up a relationship and they said that they were more than happy to help,” explains Grange Park’s manager and PGA Member John Jackson.
The hopefuls will fill out an application form and a panel of Elexis’ dad Ben Peter, who set up the foundation, the club’s lady captain and Albanese will then pick a winner.
“We’ve already had a number of applicants and you can apply up until May 15. In St Helens golf isn’t seen as a sport that is as accessible as joining a football team or other sports. Golf is often perceived as a sport that is enjoyed by the privileged, with many people believing that it isn’t accessible to the majority and, by offering this, at least they can give it a try and we’ll run this every year now. We have over 50 junior members and, if we can help someone to get into the game, then that’s great.”
For more details contact John Jackson at secretary@grangeparkgolfclub.co.uk