Heysham rewarded for ambition

Past President of the Lancashire Union of Golf Clubs, Tony McMunn (centre left), presents the winner’s cheque for £750 to Phil Foster, President of Heysham Golf Club.

A Lancashire club with an ambitious approach to encouraging more people into golf has been rewarded for its efforts.

Morecambe-based Heysham Golf Club has won the top prize in the Lancashire Union of Golf Club’s Innovation Awards and will receive £750 towards future projects to promote the game.

The awards – now in their second year – recognise those clubs taking a proactive and innovative approach to attracting new players, retaining more members and building a strong organisation.

Heysham launched a series of initiatives aimed at promoting golf over the past 12 months, including investing heavily in new practice facilities which could be used not only by members but by visiting golfers or local residents.

With the help of Sport England Inspired Facilities funding and investment from Clubfit Golf, the club has benefitted from £100,000 worth of improvements to the short game area and swing lounge.

As well as allowing regular players to practise throughout the year, these wheelchair friendly areas are used to help those returning to the sport or absolute beginners.

In addition to the improved facilities, PGA Professionals Ryan Done and Trevor Newsham, supported by course manager Dave Hutchinson, have hosted Tri-golf events in the local schools and community.

Activities have included a golf festival for more than 120 primary school pupils, while various schools regularly visit the club for group coaching.

The club’s general manager Ed Burrow said: “The facility has been received brilliantly, not just by members but everyone from the surrounding areas, both golfers and non-golfers. The amount of new visitors has increased considerably.

“All the activity at the club has increased the visibility and access to golf around the local area and to the general public.

“Membership has increased as a direct impact of the improved facilities and the outreach programmes conducted by the club professionals.”