Allendale Golf Club is flourishing thanks to its juniors – who account for a third of the club’s playing membership.
Juniors have been more than 20% of the membership for the last five years and through them parents have come back to golf or joined and started to play.
In 2009 a group of volunteers decided to develop a programme suited to youngsters and have continued to build on it year-on-year.
The key is having a course that can accommodate young golfers, the equipment to support those new to the game and a team of trained, adult volunteers who, together with our visiting PGA professional Martin Forster, are committed to providing an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Working with local schools and the community, the club provides free regular taster sessions plus coaching sessions with Forster. There is also junior workshops and a programme of junior competitions played over three, six, nine and 18 holes designed to suit all ages and abilities as part of the Golf Roots Junior Golf Passport award.
The club was one of five venues selected to host the 2016 Northumberland Golf Tour and will do so again this year on July 30.
The club will also host a county match for the first time when Northumberland Girls take on Lancashire this summer.
Another first will be the MKM Junior Nine-Hole Open on June 17, which is for boys and girls under 14 (separate competitions with or without handicaps). Entry is £5.
Entry forms are on the website www.allendale-golf.co.uk – go to members, then juniors and then MKM Junior Open or call 01434 683 438.
