Jemma proves ace in the pack

PGA pro Jemma Aldridge has proved an inspirational figure in getting more women into golf at Chelsfield Lakes Golf Centre.

Her efforts highlight the fact that one of the best ways of increasing female participation in golf is to set up lady beginners’ group classes and events, ideally led by a female PGA pro.

Aldridge, encouraged by her head pro Matthew Barber, has been taking a proactive role in encouraging more women to get involved with the club’s beginners’ programme.

All her efforts have recently culminated in Chelsfield Lakes Golf Centre running its first lady beginners’ Fun Day in July with no less than 37 lady golfers competing, with ages ranging from 14 to 75 years old.

If all 3,000 golf clubs in the UK&I were able to achieve that sort of figure, there would be a massive boost in female participation of over 110,000 more ladies playing golf, and just the sort of result that England Golf badly needs to counter the perceptions that golf is a male-dominated sport.

This initiative began as a result of the Centre starting women-only group golf lessons last year on a Tuesday evening and on a Friday morning.

These group sessions provided ladies of whatever ability the opportunity to meet like-minded budding lady golfers and to make new friends in a relaxed environment.

The sessions have become increasingly popular as word has got around.

As a result, earlier this year Aldridge decided to organise a Fun Day on the 26th July, and despite all the rain on the day the impressive field of 37 women played in a special competition set up for them on Chelsfield Lakes’ Par 3 Vista Course.

The winner of the day was Henrietta DeMelo with a fantastic score of 31 (4 over), and her team of Kay Rowe, Catherine Shepherd and Janette Devine also won the group prize with a combined score of 69 (15 over).

Aldridge reflected about the day saying: “It was a great success. I’m so proud of everyone for fighting through the rain and playing some really great golf. It’s great to see so many more women getting involved in the game.”

Following on from the success of this event, Aldridge is planning another Fun Day on September 20th 2015, comprising some coaching, a 9-hole competition, lunch and prizes.