National award for Ombersley (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

National award for Ombersley

12:00pm Thursday 24th January 2013 in Sport

OMBERSLEY Golf Club have seen their efforts to make juniors and beginners welcome recognised after they received a national accolade.

The club, one of the newest in Worcestershire, has been presented with the GolfMark award, in recognition of their user friendly facilities.

Head PGA professional Graham Glenister, who is also the club’s general manager, and his team have introduced a wide range of schemes for would-be golfers of all ages and abilities.

Coaching is available not only for juniors starting out in the sport, but also adults who are returning to golf or giving it a go for the first time at the club’s golf school.

Activities include ladies coffee mornings and coaching, short game clinics and group coaching for seniors.

“We have various levels of membership which are tailored to suit the different lifestyles of those who may want to take up the sport but who cannot, for example, afford the time at weekends,” explains Glenister.

“For example, we can fit the membership to the number of times someone wants to play, the time of day they can or how involved they want to become in club life.

“These are very difficult times for a lot of people so it is important that golf clubs show themselves to be flexible and innovative.”

Alongside the club’s weekly coaching sessions, the team – which includes PGA professionals Ashley Dalton and Jamie Hodges, has also invited one of the local scout groups to give golf a go as part of their activities.

This is an idea which is to be expanded in the future to involve other local community groups.

The club is also seeking to encourage players from other sports to enjoy golf as part of their sporting year.

Glenister added: “Golf is the sort of sport that can fit into the calendar of those taking part in other sports such as football or rugby and I think the sports can work more closely together. “For example, we are currently looking at the possibility of running summer holiday camps which will feature both football and golf.”

GolfMark is a national scheme that incorporates ClubMark and recognises junior and beginner friendly golf facilities which focus on coaching and playing, club environment and child protection.

Anyone who would like a free introduction to golf at Ombersley can contact Glenister 01905 620747 or e-mail g.glenister@ombersleygolfclub.co.uk