WILLOW VALLEY TARGETS THE LADIES

Willow Valley Golf and Country Club, one of Yorkshire’s most prestigious golfing venues, is to target new female members with a range of initiatives in the lead up to the new season, which starts in May.

With the new season just round the corner, Willow Valley is to promote ladies golf, in a bid to attract many more female members, some of whom it is hoped will go on to join its already thriving ladies team.

A key part of the move involves a low cost ‘green fee membership’, which, come the 1^st May 2001 and will cost £270.00 pa, with green fees, per round, being reduced by 50%. This allows the same facilities and advantages as full members but with much less initial outlay. It is anticipated that the scheme will allow ladies to see what the club has to offer, without the need to commit to full membership.

Another incentive the forward thinking club is introducing to attract the ladies is ‘evening golf lessons’. These will be offered in early spring, as an eight-week course, taking place on Monday or Tuesday evenings. The newly developed driving range is also to be made available. With the hi-tec interactive video training system, ladies can record their stroke and then compare it against a leading golf professional, allowing them to perfect their swing before venturing onto one of the varied courses.

The club, who pride themselves on ‘sexual equality’ currently have joining fees and subscriptions for men and women set at the same level, with both sexes enjoying equal membership benefits including full access to the courses and voting rights.

This also allows lady golfers to play in all club competitions including majors such as the Captain’s prize day, the Club Championship and the annual ‘Newton Trophy’.

Lady members already play a key role in the club’s activities with a lady member Audra Barlow being successful in winning the prestigious ‘NewtonTrophy’. The ladies team also played in the golf league where they fought bravely through to the final knockout, only to be beaten by the well established team from Bradley Hall, Halifax. This season, in the ‘Mail on Sunday Classic’ competition the ladies team, which will consist of four single players, have been drawn away, against Bradley Hall, to play their first round match, where it is hoped they will be the victors.

Club Professional Julian Haworth says: "Our equality of membership approach coupled with the introduction of a number of new joining incentives, should appeal to a large cross-section of potential female members."

Background information:

Willow Valley Golf Club was fully established in July 1997. With three courses, a driving range and fully licensed restaurant, it was set up by directors John Newton, Sheila Newton and Glyn Selway - with the aim of providing the ultimate golfing experience.

The most impressive of the Club's courses is the South which has been purposely created for the experienced golfer by one of Europe's leading golfing architects, Johnathan Gaunt.

For the less experienced golfer and those with limited time, Willow Valley has the easier to play North Course, while for learners there is a floodlit, all-weather academy course. And for those seeking merely stroke practice, a 24-bay driving range is available.

On-site tuition is provided by experienced professional, Julian Haworth and his deputy Kieran O'Brien.

Selective membership is open to all age groups and both sexes with the aim of providing a warm, friendly atmosphere for everyone.