The women’s section of Boldon Golf Club is celebrating after being named one of just three finalists for the Women & Girls’ Trailblazer Award at the 2026 England Golf Awards – recognising the positive impact of their work to open the game up to more women and girls.
The Women & Girls’ Trailblazer Award celebrates programmes that help more women and girls discover golf and feel confident staying in the game. Boldon’s programme stands out for its clear focus on welcoming newcomers, building confidence and wellbeing, and supporting women and girls every step of the way.
Delivered by dedicated women members and female coaches, the programme is underpinned by four core values – welcome, support, community and progress – and is guided by the Boldon Women’s Golf Development Strategy, which gives equal weight to skills, performance and wellbeing.
Alyson Smith, lady captain at Boldon Golf Club, said: “We want to create a genuinely welcoming route into golf for women and girls, one that builds confidence, supports wellbeing and makes individuals feel they belong from day one. Being recognised as one of only three shortlisted for the England Golf Awards is a powerful endorsement of our commitment to creating a space where women and girls feel welcomed, supported and valued.”
Boldon’s New-to-Golf Pathway is delivering results, and in 2025 taster sessions grew by 47%, with most participants choosing to continue into starter coaching and more than a third going on to join the club. Friendly first sessions, supportive coaching, fun short format competitions, and a simple buddy system help newcomers find their feet and progress at a pace that suits them.
Community partnerships have further strengthened the programme’s reach. An initiative with Sunderland AFC Women delivered eight hours of coaching to 12 players aged 18-25, with confidence and core skill self-ratings rising from around 1/10 to 8/10. Work is now underway to formalise the partnership.
Rio Jones, club manager at Boldon Golf Club, added: “This is excellent news and a testament to the hard work, commitment and dedication shown by everyone involved. The programme shows what can be achieved when a club puts inclusion, wellbeing and opportunity at the heart of the game.”
Participant testimonials highlight the programme’s impact – from complete beginners gaining confidence and joining the club, to young women discovering a new sport in a safe, encouraging environment.
Looking ahead, the club plans to expand its women’s pathway in 2026 and is keen to develop further community partnerships and outreach initiatives with local employers, health and wellbeing providers, and other sports clubs who share a passion for delivering positive health and wellbeing benefits for women and girls. Organisations interested in working collaboratively are encouraged to get in touch at info@boldongolfclub.co.uk
