Golf club in the swing of growing next generation of top golfers

JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IS GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

- By DEBORAH HALL

"IF you can hold a club and you're keen to play, you're welcome to join us."

That's the message from Cottingham Parks Golf Club in East Yorkshire, where its Junior Development Pathway (JDP) has seen numbers increase from around a dozen young hopefuls, at the outset, to 80.

Ken Hilton, junior organiser at the club, in Woodhill Way, Cottingham, said: “It's wonderful seeing all the kids - and we want more.

“We'd like more girls playing - we've got five or six now and would love to see that number double this year or next.

“First and foremost it's about enjoying yourself.”

Prior to 2010, Cottingham Parks had a dwindling junior section. Following fundraising to improve its short game area, the club was able to look at and develop the JDP, with the support of England Golf.