By Gareth James
More than 60 girls in North Wales can look forward to improved golf this summer thanks to the Girls Golf Cymru Programme which ran over the winter.
Monthly clinics helped the girls between the ages of five and 15 develop their game and have fun bonding, finishing off with a nine hole competition where they were able to improve their handicaps, or start getting handicaps depending on experience.
The sessions were split between the practice facilities at Conwy and on course at Penmaenmawr, learning different skills alongside playing clinics.
The sessions were delivered by PGA professionals Robin Hughes, Louise Davis-Owen and Ross Bebbington, for over five hours each month.
“We look forward to seeing how the girls develop this summer after their enthusiasm and commitment shone through over the winter,” said Wales Golf North Community Development Co-ordinator Kim Ellis.
“More than 60 girls from all over North Wales came to the sessions, with between 20-42 coming to each one, which is a fantastic boost for girls golf in North Wales.
“Most sessions were themed depending on the month – for example, in October, the girls did Halloween crafts during lunch, in November we had a quiz and December was Christmas themed.
“Our final clinic saw the girls play an event over nine holes scoring a card. Girls with handicaps were able to try to bring them down and girls without were able to use the card towards getting one.
“We didn’t have to cancel any sessions over the winter, and we have had amazing feedback from the parents and girls. Now, we are looking to get as much feedback as possible to see what we can improve for next year.”
PGA professional, Davis-Owen, added: “The sessions were brilliant for bringing the girls on or keeping their game going over the winter.
“One of the best things was that there was such a variety of abilities involved, from five or six year-olds learning to hit the ball through, to older players looking to get their handicaps down.
“At the end they all played nine holes, but also made friends from across North Wales. It was a nice mixture of coaching and playing, so it was nice to see them putting all that into practice on the course.”
