Girls golf in Co Durham has produced some remarkable results in the last few years and the structure now in place looks set to continue that success.
With young golfers like Alex Stevenson, Briony Bales and Jessica Hall (pictured right) starring on the local and national stages, county junior girls organiser Bobby Giffiths is keen to attract and support the next generation of top female players to join the county system.
“We’ve had a remarkable year,” says Bobby. “As well as all the individual success for the girls at home and nationally, we’ve had very good results in the girls league matches and at the Junior Jamboree.”
As well as overseeing the girls’ county matches, Bobby organises the county’s coaching programme in which elite players are coached by Andrew Nicholson at Wynyard’s Leadbetter Academy, Sharpley’s Simon Robinson and Headlam Hall’s Steve Carpenter. The jamboree squad, for girls with handicaps of more than 15 is filled with the next generation of elite players and is coached by Andrew Betts at Wynyard.
“The mix of coaching and working with four experts at three very different and brilliantly equipped facilities has been a big part of our success,” adds Bobby.
“We’ve also been able to bring the girls together regularly for practice and competitions. That competitive spirit from the jamboree girls through to the elite squad is fierce and drives the girls to improve every week.
“We’ll be looking for more success next season. We’ll also be doing all we can to ensure we have the funding in place for the coaching.”
For more information about the county programmes and how girls can take part contact Bobby Griffiths, email b.griffiths093@btinternet.com
