Passport schemes gets stamp of approval

More than 2,000 youngsters and nearly 450 PGA coaches have embraced the Golf Foundation’s Junior Golf Passport since its official launch in October.

Over the winter growing interest has resulted in 368 golf clubs and 449 PGA Professionals implementing the programme and encouraging 2,105 children into golf through the scheme.

The Golf Foundation expects these numbers to rise into 2014, with a good growth period expected in the spring with the start of more regular playing opportunities in better weather. 

And PGA pros have earned special praise for their efforts in supporting the initiative.

Project leader Sarah Tennyson, marketing manager for the Golf Foundation, said: “While these increases in participation demonstrate the appeal of the new Junior Golf Passport among children, parents and their professional coaches, we believe these PGA Professionals deserve particular praise for seizing the opportunity the Junior Golf Passport has created for them and the club itself. 

“The PGA Professionals taking part understand that the Junior Golf Passport can enhance their coaching and business portfolio. Feedback is also showing us that youngsters are really enjoying the Junior Golf Passport and the fact that plenty of families are taking an interest is also great news.

“More family involvement at club level is leading to greater spending at the club venue, and that’s fantastic for the club.”

Its success is a big boost for the England Golf Partnership and Golf Development Wales which have adopted it to lead the charge to grow the game at grass roots level.

The Junior Golf Passport is ‘designed by coaches for coaches’, and features innovative thinking from coaching Professionals and expert support from the PGA.  The Junior Golf Passport offers both an attractive paper booklet to be completed by child and Coach and a user-friendly interactive website (www.juniorgolfpassport.org) for the same purpose.

The price to register for the Junior Golf Passport is £100. PGA pros can register now at www.juniorgolfpassport.org, or for further enquiries can call the Golf Foundation on 01992 449830.