Teignmouth Golf Club Hits The Mark And Scores A Devon ‘First’
Teignmouth Golf Club has become the first club in Devon to achieve the new-style, national GolfMark award in recognition of its work to grow the game.
GolfMark, which was recently re-launched, is England Golf’s official seal of approval for clubs successfully working to develop their business in such ways as: attracting new members and encouraging existing members to play more; using practical business planning to develop the club; offering appropriate coaching and playing opportunities for all standards of golfer; and ensuring all necessary safeguarding policies are in place for the junior section.
Teignmouth, which has an 18-hole heathland links course with spectacular views of the South Devon coast and nearby moors, offers a range of playing opportunities and initiatives to appeal to players of all abilities.
The Club is part of England Golf’s Get into Golf scheme which offers affordable coaching opportunities to beginners in group sessions from £25 for 5 weeks. It has also introduced one month trial memberships to provide beginners and those improving with a clear pathway to club membership.
The Club offers junior group coaching sessions to under-18s every Saturday afternoon, led by Jon Axford (PGA Professional), and provides taster opportunities through links with local schools, including Shaldon Primary and Teignmouth’s Trinity School. Junior memberships are free for beginners and just £50 or £100 per annum for under-15s and under-18s respectively.
There has also been the introduction of staggered membership fees to encourage recruitment and retention of younger adult members and full fees are now not applicable until the age of 36.
Mark Haskell, Teignmouth’s General Manager, who was instrumental in leading the club’s push to achieve GolfMark, said: “It’s fantastic news for the Club and we’re very proud to be the first in Devon to receive this award. My thanks go to the whole team who have worked so hard to make this happen, and especially Rob Selley, our Head PGA Professional, and his staff for all their efforts.”
The award was presented to Teignmouth by Paul Cloke, England Golf County Development Officer for Devon, who commented: “I’m delighted that Teignmouth has achieved the GolfMark award and that the club’s efforts to grow the game can now be nationally recognised. Teignmouth has a wonderful team of people all working together to move the club in one, very exciting direction.”
“The club has a clear vision of where it wants to be and a sound business plan setting out how it intends to get there, linked to the England Golf Strategic Plan, which is brilliant to see. The club is very keen to engage with and understand its local community and offer opportunities for anyone to experience golf with a clear pathway to membership or further participation.”
The GolfMark award was developed by England Golf and also integrates Sport England’s Clubmark award – a national standard for quality sports clubs recognised across the country.
GolfMark brings a number of benefits to clubs including raising awareness, access to funding, business and marketing support and training opportunities for staff and volunteers.
Almost 40 per cent of GolfMark clubs have increased membership since receiving the award. To find out more about GolfMark visit www.golfmark.org. To find out more about Teignmouth Golf Club please visit www.teignmouthgolfclub.co.uk