Golf: Beamish Park's junior section has got success down to a tee

Nov 1 2009 by Tim Taylor, Sunday Sun

THE gap between youngsters getting to grips with golf for the first time and venturing out on to a full 18-hole course has been filled admirably by the Beamish Park club.

They’ve hammered in special blue tees for their juniors which creates a track of 5,105 yards. That is 1078 yards shorter than if the course is played off their championship tees.

It seems to have worked. Junior Liaison Officer Rory Fleming said: “We had an increase of 10% in junior membership for the season.

“And participation in junior competitions is 20% up, largely due to the introduction of the blue tees.”

That’s not all the club has to offer to their juniors. Fleming added: “It has been a good season all round. We secured sponsorship from Charlotte Street Motors of Stanley for our juniors.

“And as well as receiving a weekly coaching lesson from the club professional, Chris Cole, the junior section have also been working through a golf development programme.

“This has allowed each junior to not only develop their skills in chipping, pitching, driving and putting but also having an understanding about the rules and etiquette of the game.

“The junior section has had success in men’s club competitions with Matthew Stewart and Dan Knight both securing victories. The girls are making progress too. Our junior competitions are mixed and the same girl, Holly Hirst, beat all the rest of boys and girls in the last two events.

“For the first time we also organised a Junior/Senior Foursomes competition which proved a great success.

“When I took on the JLO role for the first time this year, all I was looking for us to achieve was for each junior to enjoy playing the game of golf.

“I think we have succeeded in this.”