Golf club improving fitness of over fifties

A Chesterfield golf club has launched a new partnership to offer specialist coaching sessions to groups of over fifties.

Tapton Park Golf Course has teamed up with Derbyshire Golf to launch the fifty plus golfing scheme designed to improve the fitness of older people through weekly group coaching sessions over a five week period.

Conducted by PGA Advanced Professional golf coach, Craig Pollard, the sessions for both men and women at Tapton Park, operated by SIV, offer coaching for all abilities from beginner to established level.

Andy Carnall, golf general manager at SIV, which runs four golf courses on behalf of the charity – Sheffield City Trust, said: “The sessions are a great way for older people who are already engaged in sport to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle, and for those who are not already participating to get into sport and improve their cardiovascular fitness.

“The golf coaching sessions cover beginner level right through to established level. All are light and friendly enabling those over the age of 50 to get fit and healthy whilst socialising and meeting new people.”

The fifty plus golf scheme is being run in partnership with Derbyshire Golf, which has donated a grant to support the coaching. The money will also enable over fifties to have a limited golf club and course membership for the duration of their coaching. 

Nigel Furniss, Derbyshire Golf development officer, said: “We are delighted to support the project being run by SIV in the Chesterfield area, it is really encouraging to see such a proactive approach to helping more adults sustain their participation in golf. The project fits in nicely with our drive to increase the number of adults who are actively involved in golf once a week.”

The fifty plus group sessions are arranged at times to suit the players. To sign up, contact coach, Craig Pollard on 07825168437 or email craigpollard27@btinternet.com.

The Derbyshire Golf Partnership is a collaboration of a number of stakeholders in the sport including the English Golf Union, The English Women's Golf Association, The PGA, the Golf Foundation and Sport England.

In Derbyshire the partnership is supported by the Derbyshire Ladies County Golf Association, the Derbyshire Union of Golf Clubs and the Derbyshire PGA.

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