Junior success is par for the course

A thriving Wolverhampton academy, whose motto is making the game fun, will give kids aged four to 16 a memorable day when it plays host to the Midlands Junior Short Course Championship.

The 3 Hammers Golf Complex is staging the event for the second year on Sunday, July 6, and with entries from Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire and Herefordshire the facility is set to cement its reputation as a burgeoning hotspot for both juniors and adults.

PGA Professional Rob Bluck, (pictured above centre courtesy of Wolverhampton Magazine) who is golf academy director at the complex, is eagerly looking forward to the event and admits he was bowled over by the standard of golf at the inaugural tournament.

“Last year’s event included three holes-in-one with an ace from a six year old on a 120-yard hole which was pretty awesome,” he said.

It’s not just about children though with his team of PGA Level 3 coaches – John Cheetham, Tom Gibbs and Rory Haigh -  running a wide range of Get Into Golf programmes which have proved particularly successful in encouraging new women and beginner golfers.

“The emphasis is on no barriers, a friendly relaxed atmosphere and fun,” said Bluck.

“There is a clear pathway for juniors and adults where they can see how they can progress whether individually or in groups.”

Bluck and his academy team was recently selected to address the PGA’s National Coaching Conference at the University of Birmingham where they spoke on the theme of adult coaching programmes for the recreational golfer and female golfers in particular.

“We were chosen as an example of good practice because while female participation in golf is in decline we have experienced the opposite of that,” said Bluck.

“During the 2013 season our Get Into Golf programme saw a 50/50 gender split where in previous years it was approximately a 70/30 split in favour of male golfers.

“Our Get Into Golf programmes have always proved extremely popular. We’ve introduced nearly 500 hundred new golfers in the last two years. It’s only £20 for a four week course, everything is provided and the only thing the beginners have to bring is themselves.

“They enjoy the relaxed environment of the bar and bistro on site so it’s fun and there is a great social side to it. On the back of that a phenomenal number of women are taking up the sport.”

Warwickshire-born Bluck cut his teeth in professional golf at Kings Norton Golf Club where he also competed regularly in the Midland PGA region and in tour events.

Inspired by the coaching skills of Kings Norton Head Pro, Kevin Hayward, Bluck’s passion for coaching eventually saw him join the David Leadbetter Golf Academy and led to working in Europe and in America before landing a post as Head Professional at Lilleshall Hall where he stayed for seven years until joining 3 Hammers two years ago.

“I knew the complex had a very high reputation so it was a great opportunity for me to pursue my passion for golf development,” he said.

“The 3 Hammers is a great environment to grow the game and with so much foot fall and a very forward thinking team we are enjoying great success for golfers of all ages and abilities.”

Facilities include an 18-hole par 3 course, driving range, golf store, bar and bistro.