Norfolk Golf does well at National Awards!

Bawburgh Golf Club, near Norwich, has won the GolfMark Club of the Year Award 2012, supported by COBRA-PUMA GOLF, whilst Carol Delf is recognised as one of England's top golf volunteers.

GOLFMARK CLUB OF THE YEAR

The GolfMark Club of the Year award, introduced four years ago by the English Golf Union and English Women’s Golf Association, recognises clubs which make an outstanding and innovative contribution to junior and beginner golf.

Bawburgh’s success was announced at the England Golf Partnership’s County Golf Development Conference on 21st February at Woodhall Spa. The conference also applauded the two runners-up, Marriott Tudor Park Golf & Country Club in Kent and Addington Court Golf Club in Surrey.

Robert Barnard, managing director of Bawburgh Golf Club, said: “I am over the moon, the competition was very strong and we didn’t expect to win. This is just great for the club and all our team – and now we’ve got to keep going forward.”

Bawburgh was first awarded GolfMark in October 2007 and now has High Achiever status. It aims to offer opportunities to all, from novice to regular golfer, and recently opened a new driving range, the Norwich Family Golf Centre, which completed a £2million investment in the complex.

Over the past three years the club has made alterations and improvements to its 18-hole course, built a new par-36 nine-hole course and now completed the new centre, which includes a golf shop, 24-bay driving range, café and sports bar.

The team at the club, led by Robert and his wife Jo, demonstrate a willingness to adapt and try new ideas, with awareness of what their customers want. They offer flexible membership packages to suit all types of golfer, a relaxed environment for non-members and members alike and a range of coaching opportunities, led by PGA professionals Mark Spooner and Peter Bower. The club also has a strong working relationship with the Norfolk County Golf Partnership and links with the sports academy at Easton College.

Presenting the award, Ian Barrett, EMEA Marketing Manager for COBRA PUMA GOLF, said: “COBRA PUMA GOLF is delighted to help recognise the outstanding efforts of those who have worked so hard at Bawburgh Golf Club to win this award.

“Our approach to golf is about making the game more inclusive and fun for golfers of all abilities, attitudes and styles and Bawburgh echo this by enhancing golf participation within their community. COBRA PUMA GOLF is proud to continue its support for GolfMark as a leader in the development of beginner-friendly facilities.”

COBRA-PUMA GOLF is supporting the GolfMark award scheme for the second year running, with prizes for the Club of the Year award and quarterly and annual prize draws.

Richard Flint, Golf Development Manager for the English Golf Union and English Women’s Golf Association, commented “We are delighted that COBRA PUMA GOLF continues to support this prestigious award which highlights very proactive, professionally run golf clubs, such as Bawburgh.

“Golf clubs have to be more creative and business-focused to meet the changing golfing landscape and GolfMark can support them in developing structures and promoting their facilities and opportunities.”

Contenders for the award were nominated by their County Golf Partnerships and a shortlist was drawn up by a panel of England Golf Partnership (EGP) representatives. Individual visits were made to the final three clubs to determine the winner.

Any affiliated golf club can apply to work through the GolfMark process and achieve the accreditation, by visiting www.golfmark.org. There are currently 535 golf clubs with GolfMark and a further 561 working towards accreditation.

GolfMark is an EGP initiative which is part of its ‘Whole Sport Plan’ for golf and an integral part of its vision to ‘Grow the Game’.

COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AWARD

Carol, of Great Yarmouth & Caister Golf Club, was presented with the County Development Award at the England Golf Partnership’s annual Volunteer of the Year Awards.

Other winners at the ceremony at the County Golf Development Conference dinner at the National Golf Centre, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, were:

• Patrick Denning of Kent – Young Golf Volunteer of the Year, under 18
• Shenal Patel of Surrey – Young Golf Volunteer of the Year, 18-25
• Sally Benn of Derbyshire - Golf Volunteer Coach of the Year
• Guy Carr of Durham – Club Development Award
• Jenny Clink of Gloucestershire - Services to Golf/Lifetime Achievement (female)
• Ted Leather of Cheshire - Services to Golf/Lifetime Achievement (male)

They were applauded by a packed conference hall made up of those leading the EGP’s vision to ‘Grow the Game’ through the County Golf Partnership structure.

Phil Beard, Volunteer Manager for the England Golf Partnership, said: “These volunteers are truly inspiring people who play a crucial part in growing the game. They readily give up their time and many people are playing and enjoying golf because of their encouragement. These awards recognise the importance and value of our volunteers.”

Carol Delf has been involved with the Norfolk Golf Partnership since its earliest days, helping to found the organisation and becoming chairman in 2010. She actively encourages clubs to make the most of grass roots opportunities to encourage more people into the game and into club membership.

Carol is also a stalwart of women’s and girls’ golf in Norfolk where she has been county captain and chairman and is currently county junior organiser.

She is also a key volunteer at her own club, Gt Yarmouth & Caister, where she has been ladies’ captain and a member of the club committee.

“This award is good for Norfolk, it’s recognition for what we’re doing in the county – and that’s what it’s all about,” said Carol.

Gt Yarmouth & Caister PGA professional Gary Potter praised Carol: “She’s a progressive, proactive achiever and, if her work at Caister is anything to go by, she will achieve great results for the partnership and beyond.”

The national volunteering programme is delivered via the England Golf Partnership’s ‘Whole Sport Plan’ for golf and is an integral part of the England Golf Partnership’s vision to ‘Grow the Game’.

For more on volunteers and full details of all the award winners go to www.golfvolunteers.org