Chris Paisley swapped the sunshine of the European Tour for a visit to Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School in Burnopfield to open the school’s driving range and officially launch its Pathways into Golf programme.
Chris, whose brother Richard is a director of the St Thomas More Multi-Academy Trust, opened the new facility – which features an artificial tee and multiple targets on the school’s sports field – and offered tips to young golfers including his niece Molly.
The first facility of its kind in a North East school, the driving range adds to the school’s recent work with Bryan Ross, a former Durham County captain and player, and junior golf coach.
Headteacher Paul Naughton said: “We were delighted to have Chris open the new facility. Many children get the chance to try a sport at school but too often that spark of interest is allowed to go out because the pathway on to the next level is unclear and parents do not know how to keep them in the game.
“We have coaching in place in all our trust’s schools, and the significant investment in this facility will greatly improve what we can offer to young golfers at Sacred Heart with the help of Bryan.”
The programme across the academy sees children coached weekly for 40 weeks of the year, delivered by Bryan.
He added: “It’s been fantastic to work with Paul and to see a headteacher with so much passion for the game. We want to give each child an opportunity to try golf and everything we do is about making golf fun. If we can deliver keen youngsters into local clubs I think we’ve got a great chance of growing the game in the years to come.”
TM Amenities, Dynamic Indoor Golf and Turfcare Ltd of Consett supported the driving range project.
