Prudhoe and Brancepeth Castle are backing the drive to grow the game and both have won a national award from England Golf.
The clubs have received the GolfMark award – the official seal of approval for clubs which successfully work to develop the game.
Northumberland’s Prudhoe has successfully run a women’s Get into Golf programme and plan a repeat the event while professional John Crawford and junior liaison officer Derek Lees are working on attracting more juniors with supervised access to the course on Sundays and a junior academy.
There is also an introductory membership offer in place and a £9 green fee offer in September while the six-hole pitch and putt course is now open to all.
Ken Rutherford, who led the club’s push to GolfMark, said: “This award helps us to spread the message and tell people that children are safe and secure here, and that we understand beginner golfers.”
Brancepeth, in Co Durham and designed by world-famous architect Harry Colt, is recognised as one of the top 100 courses in the UK and has played host to English County Finals and the English Women’s Championship.
The club hasn’t rested on its laurels and has worked hard to move forward – hence the GolfMark award.
Brancepeth’s Paul Swainston said: “The whole process has been a great education and moving forward GolfMark will assist the club grow as a business and with future funding applications.”
