Parkes life grows the game

An inspirational Midland PGA Professional has won a top England Golf award for his successful work to grow the grass roots game.

The efforts by Daniel Parkes, academy director at The Nottinghamshire Golf and Country Club, reflect the impact being made by PGA pros across the UK.

Parkes has developed the popular ‘Pathway to Golf’ scheme which fills eight junior classes and 10 adult classes each week.

The Try, Learn and Play programme was launched in April 2015 and has already created 26 new club members.

Parkes was presented with the Talent Pathway Award last night at a gala dinner last night at England Golf’s annual conference, which celebrated the golfers and golf clubs who make the game great and inspire others to play.

“I am humbled to receive the award which recognises a team effort from The Nottinghamshire and our partnerships,” said Parkes.

“The pathway only works when each client feels welcomed to the course by members and staff, has fantastic catering to encourage them to stay and has a great course to play and facilities to practice on, so each department plays a role.

“None of this would be possible without the ambition and investment from our owner, Alan Hardy, who also shares my passion for growing the sport, especially from a grass roots level. I am unbelievably happy with this achievement for The Nottinghamshire and as we always say, team work makes the dream work.”

As well as developing the Pathway to Golf, he has created close links with the local school community and he is also involved with coaching with the County Golf Partnership, the Golf Foundation’s HSBC Golf Roots programme and the Nottinghamshire girls.

In addition, Parkes has also overseen the transformation of the facilities at The Nottinghamshire, improving the driving range and introducing the newly designed short game area to allow for more dedicated and focussed coaching.

Bill Mackenzie, The Nottinghamshire’s managing director, commented: “Recruiting Daniel was probably the best thing we have ever done to get the club recognised as a fantastic place to come and get into golf and learn.”

Matthew Bloor, the England Golf County development officer for Nottinghamshire added: “Daniel is really proactive in going into schools and engaging with people who have never tried golf before, getting them up to the club and involved in regular coaching.”

The Pathway to Golf initiative supports the England Golf’s strategic plan, ‘Raising Our Game’ which calls on all who care about the sport to work together to create a brighter future for the game, including more members, more players and stronger clubs.

** Image courtesy of Leaderboard photography.