Narromine continues to attract new players, following on from a successful beginners program at the Narromine Golf Club held last year utilising the DGA Development Program grant received from Golf NSW. Offering a combination of social golf and Coaching Clinics seems to be a winning formula, especially when you have ladies like Tracey McIntyre, Marg Kelly and Robyn Jones on board to help organise and encourage new players in a friendly social game. Community Golf Coach, Sharon Nott, conducted a day clinic at the club on Sunday 23rd June with 15 new recruits: four of who were juniors, one grandfather, two beginner ladies from Trangie and eight ladies from Narromine. All were eager to learn the fundamentals of chipping and long shots and put new found skills into their next round of golf. If enthusiasm is anything to go by then Narromine Golf Club has the right approach with attracting new players and getting them hooked on golf. Further Coaching Clinics are planned for later in the year and will form part of the clubs&apos social/coaching recruitment drive. At $5 a game it certainly offers great value. Tracey McIntyre shared us her report about the Coaching Clinic conducted recently (see below).
Report from Tracey McIntyre on Narromine s membership drive challenge
Earlier this year it was decided to run a six week Social 9-hole Golf Competition on Sunday mornings starting in June 2013. This was a result from feedback received by interested beginners who were unable to make our regular mid-week and Saturday afternoon competitions, but wanted to learn how to play golf. It was also a confidence builder, as the ladies were less intimidated than they may have been in a regular 18 hole golf competition. Word of the new competition circulated via social media and the local press. Overall we have had interest from approximately 12-15 women wishing to learn how to play golf, despite numbers having been slow to build up primarily due to interference with certain men’s competitions that take up all day on Sunday, and the weather. It is thought that we might start earlier in the season next year, following the completion of our very successful Tuesday night Business House Golf Competition. As I am not qualified to coach (wouldn t know what to do anyway), the main advice offered (when asked for) regarded: marking the cards, how to smooth a sand green, basic etiquette, rules required as the ladies went around the course, and what to do when someone gets stuck behind a tree, etc. Last Sunday, 23rd June, we incorporated a very successful coaching clinic conducted by Sharon Nott from Dunedoo who is the Central West and Western JNJG Territory Manager. Approximately 15 novice players attended the coaching clinic that ran for three or more hours they wouldn t leave! We were keen to get the message out regarding the coaching clinic via the local Narromine News who ran an article in the paper, and email. Thanks to Marj Kelly and Robyn Jones for helping with the day. Several women have expressed the desire for the continuance of the competition on Sunday mornings as they would like to start getting their cards in to obtain a handicap. Therefore we will continue the competition for another couple weeks, depending on numbers.”