GRASS ROOTS GOLF BENEFITING FROM EGU JUNIOR CLUB COACHING

The EGU Junior Club Coaching funded by sponsorship from Marsh Sport & Leisure Insurance Services (formerly Bowring), in conjunction with Royal and SunAlliance is proving a great benefit to the development of grass roots golf within junior sections of golf clubs in England.

The scheme which has also attracted Sportsmatch funding offers golf clubs affiliated to the English Golf Union the opportunity to apply for a grant which when matched by the club provides a fund for organized grass roots junior coaching. It emphasies the EGU's commitment to the England Junior Golf Partnership's Development Plan and encourages golf clubs to invest in their junior sections.

Launched in August 1999, the scheme has to date attracted in excess of 220 applications and EGU Junior Liaison Officer Richard Brown, commented: "We have been extremely pleased with how well the initiative has been received. Through the generous sponsorship from Marsh Sport & Leisure and Royal and SunAlliance, we have budgeted to award 300 grants by 31 March 2000. We are still in a position to award coaching grants before March 2000 and any club interested in applying should contact the offices of the English Golf Union."

Statistics from the clubs in the coaching scheme to date are showing that on average Junior membership (under 18 years of age) is 8.4% of the total membership. Approximately 93% are boys and 7% are girls.