es Golf Club’s future is growing up right before its eyes.
The small club in the central west of New South Wales is riding a wave of interest in its junior program – and it’s paying immediate dividends.
PGC director David Stevenson said the club approached the local hockey and tennis clubs midyear to encourage their kids to take up a 10-week challenge via the MyGolf program.
Both sporting clubs were offered cash incentives to participate via a Golf NSW program, but each turned down the cash to help the golf club along.
Subsequently, up to 35 children from ages 6-14 have been trying golf each Sunday for the past month and, according to Stevenson, “seem to be loving it”.
In addition to that possible membership influx, the Lachlan Valley club has also signed up 14 new players based on the PlayGolf Week program which begins in earnest today.
The club has promoted that in the past fortnight and, with some outstanding volunteer work from existing members, has attracted several more players in the 18-23 age group.
“It’s really good because the juniors and intermediate members are obviously the lifeblood of the club in the future,” Stevenson said.
“One of the best things is that we’ve had eight members come out each Sunday to help out with the junior program and everyone’s really chipping in. It’s great.”
The club has a handful of members in the process of becoming Community Coaches to be properly qualified to help the coaching of the prospective new members.
And just to cap it off, scratch golfer Melissa Russell and new member Matthew Egan (a +1 handicapper) are getting involved to give tips to as many newcomers as possible.
“Our junior program lapsed for a while … but it’s great to see so much interest in it again now,” Stevenson said.
** PlayGolf Week runs until November 23. Contact your local club for details of how to get involved or check out www.playgolf.com.au for more information.