Strange ways prove hit at Norwood Park

PGA Professional Richard Strange has played a key role in helping Norwood Park Golf Club significantly boost its junior section.

The club has seen a 33 per cent increase in youngsters becoming members at the Nottinghamshire club with the number now standing at 72.

Strange and the club have worked closely with the local sports development team and utilised Golf Foundation funding to generate a number of initiatives.

An invitation for a coffee and chat to local and county council sports development officers is just one of the ways in which the club promotes its facilities and the extensive range of programmes it offers to adults and school children, including those with special educational needs.

Strange, who like many PGA pros is experienced at working with young people, used a Golf Foundation grant to fund Tri-Golf and Golf Xtreme coaching in local schools.

At the end of these sessions goodie bags and leaflets inviting the young people to attend a free taster session were distributed.

Moreover to encourage regular play, the club actively promotes the Junior Golf Passport scheme and runs affordable weekend sessions while coaching is continuous throughout the year and to maintain participation at the club, low cost junior membership packages are available.

Mike Round, chief executive of the Golf Foundation, said: “Norwood Park Golf Club clearly understands what initiatives work for young people and is always looking to maintain their interest and passion for golf.

“Its thriving junior section reflects this, and its contribution to junior golf has been recognised nationally with a recent nomination for 2014 GolfMark Club of the Year.”

The club's main achievements in the past year include coaching 180 children in their school or community group, boosting junior membership of its academy and par three course to 72 with ten girls now members as a result of the club’s ‘Girls into Golf’ campaign.