CGP REPORT AGM 2009
The County Golf Partnership is now in its 3rd year and continues to provide a pro active stimulus for golf development throughout many golf clubs. Nationally there are now 30 CGP's in place leaving only Staffordshire, Yorkshire and Lancashire without partnerships. We were the 3rd partnership to form in 2006.
Each partnership has recently been sent a new Awards Agreement from the EGP. This has duly been submitted and our bid to extend the funding to 2013 has been successful, providing we continue to meet targets each year.
£105,000 is the total award allocated over a 4 year period.
The year began with the continuation of the Club and Coach programme which started in October 2008. CGP funds of £2,250 have been received enabling the initiation of starter groups which has given girls an opportunity to try golf. Recently 3 assessment days were scheduled. The girls have been re-assessed into ability groups under the guidance of 3 pros and the junior selection committee. New recruits also attended and are always welcome.
GolfMark accreditation has continued with 7 clubs attaining the award this year bringing the total to 18. This is well above the national average . Congratulations to Evesham G.C. Hagley G.C. Kings Norton G.C. Moseley G.C Stourbridge G.C. Worcester Golf & Country Club and The Vale Golf and Counrty Club who have recently been successful. 11 further clubs are registered and we look forward to their success in 2010. The award provides a national standard for quality and will give clubs a variety of benefits that EWGA/EGU are continually updating.
Club Coaching Grant applications have been awarded to 9 clubs this year. The response to this available money was brilliant with 209 clubs to date receiving funding. The grant is well worth the paperwork as £800 is available to GolfMark clubs and £400 to those without. Check your pro's have applied and completed their application. The pro must provide Taster sessions for adults and juniors.
The National Skills Challenge has been a popular initiative with 15 clubs participating. The challenge plays a key role in increasing junior membership with a national increase of around 8,000 since 2004.
The national final in the 9-11 age group was won by girls for the first time. They also took 2nd place. Please encourage clubs to introduce this fun scheme. Info
from www.englishwomensgolf.org or www.getintogolf.org . All you need to do is register your club and you will receive a variety of Free coaching resources.
The year has seen great improvements on the CGP website and I thank Pat Tattersall for her input along with the publication of the Worcestershire Factsheet encompassing the function of the 2 bodies (WUGC and WHLCGA) along with the benefits of the County Card Scheme.
Safeguarding Standards have been reviewed under the guidance of Sharon Heeley. The CGP now have one policy statement amalgamating the boys and girls . This has been based on the Children in Golf Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. Parental Consent Forms, Medical Forms and Incident Report Forms have all been amended along with 'Parental Responsibilities' information.
Enhanced CRB checks are still requested and all volunteers working with children must possess this certificate.
The presentation to Redditch District Council requesting a bid to acquire Pitcheroak Golf Club as a development centre was granted for a two year period . This initiative has been closely watched by the EGP as a recruitment club for golfers to play at a very reasonable cost. Membership has doubled in 4 months with 80 new members enjoying the 9 hole course. Community links and targeting school links has been a nessential part of the process. 30 schools now receive golf tuition which has helped to increase golf membership in many local clubs.
The County Golf Development Conference at Woodhall Spa, was attended by Andrew Boyd (Chairman CGP) Warwick Holland (Development Officer) and Netty Kitson. The programme for the 2 days included presentations on key issues, the Volunteer Awards Ceremony, Workshops, and golf demonstrations.
Jennie Price, Chief Executive of Sport England, gave an interesting talk on sport development. Greater investment at grass roots being a strong issue with an awareness of how other sports have achieved success. The aim is to become the leading golf nation in the world by 2010....not much to aim for !!
£12.85 million has been awarded to the EGP by Sport England
Talks on regional perspectives and the role of CGP'S followed. Workshops were held and we discussed targets and what were necessary to 'stay and 'succeed'.,and the value of marketing methods within clubs. Delegates had the opportunity to talk to 'experts' in the field of assisting volunteers, developing golf in schools, Safeguarding. Equality, the Club and Coach Programme, awareness
of resources etc. I have copious notes on many seminar discussions if you want further info.
Documents on all the CGP's individual development were available and it was interesting to see how much work has been done in one year. Compared to many, Worcs & Heref. are at the forefront of the success stories.
Finally, I thank Sylvia Laws who after 4 years of helping to pioneer the project in her days of Captaincy has decided to leave us to it. Her enthusiasm for this venture has helped steer the group of volunteers into a hard working committee working alongside Andrew Boyd, Warwick Holland, Mark Laing (PGA) and Sharon Heeley (EWGA Regional development Officer).Thanks also to Karen Greenfield and our newly appointed member Chris Henderson.
Finally CGP reports are available on our website www.worcestershireamateurgolf.co.uk
Netty Kitson
Vice Captain
WHLCGA
19.10.09
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