Sandburn Hall Golf club receives prestigious GolfMark award (From Gazette & Herald)

Sandburn Hall Golf club receives prestigious GolfMark award

11:12am Saturday 5th February 2011 in Sport

SANDBURN Hall Golf Club has shared in one of the amateur game’s memorable milestones.

The club, which only opened five years ago, has had its inclusive approach rewarded by receiving the prestigious GolfMark award – the 400th club nationwide to attain that status.

The national accreditation scheme is run by the English Golf Union (EGU) and English Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) and incorporates Sport England’s Clubmark Award.

Now Sandburn Hall, which is based on the Flaxton Road off the A64, has joined the elite number of clubs to have embraced the benefits of developing their facilities to support beginners and junior golf.

And it will aid the club in expanding its community base as well as further developing the coaching facilities led by head pro Steve Robinson, who holds several national coaching posts.

Said Emma Brown, clubhouse manager at Sandburn Hall: “We are delighted to receive GolfMark.

“As a new golf club established five years ago, the GolfMark process has been very helpful in providing best practices to welcome and encourage golfers of all ages.

“Our GolfMark accreditation will help us to promote the club well to the wider community and build on the great progress we have made, including success in county and national coaching at the club.”

With a further 600 golf clubs nationwide working towards this accreditation, the EGU and EWGA is delighted with the success of this scheme and through a network of development officers support available for GolfMark and other development initiatives has never been better.

The rate of progress can be measured by the fact it was only ten months ago that Stonebridge GC in the Midlands was being celebrated for becoming the 300th GolfMark club.

Richard Flint, EGU/EWGA golf development manager, said: “Without doubt GolfMark is playing a major part in helping golf clubs to develop and restructure.

“Due to the economic climate, golf clubs have faced a number of challenges. However, it is these GolfMark facilities who are now leading the way in terms of recruiting members.

“I think that the rate of clubs now achieving GolfMark is really healthy and a very exciting sign that genuine progress is being made by all involved to promote beginner-friendly facilities. This can only help to raise golf participation and membership levels as we go forwards.”

Based on recent research into GolfMark facilities, more than half – 53 per cent – reported an increase in membership, demonstrating the benefit of having a structured approach to development.

GolfMark is open to any EGU/EWGA affiliated golf club and facilities involved in the scheme have access to a number of rewards and recognitions as detailed on the GolfMark website, www.golfmark.org, which include funding for coaching and free places on workshops.