A new festival of golf is being held on the Isle of Man this year – giving schoolchildren the chance to take their first shot at playing the sport. Schools across the Island are taking part in the very first Tri-Golf Festival, which is being staged in May. The event is being organised by the Isle of Man Golf Partnership in conjunction with Manx Sport and Recreation and if successful could be the forerunner to a Tri-Golf programme being rolled out into schools. Karen McGurgan, Development Officer for the Isle of Man Golf Partnership, said: “Tri-Golf is a fun and easy way for children to try their hand at some of the skills needed to play golf. “There will be games and activities for the children to get involved with and the event will be pitched at a level that will make it enjoyable for everyone – even for those who have never picked up a golf club before.” The festival is aimed at KS2 pupils and takes place on Thursday, May 5, at the NSC Sports Hall from 4pm to 6pm. Thirteen schools have signed up to take part by entering a team of five girls and five boys. The festival will be delivered by Andy Leigh, the North West Development Officer for the Golf Foundation, and a team of PGA professionals and Level One coaches from the Island. The Isle of Man Golf Partnership is a collaboration of a number of stakeholders in the sport including the English Golf Union, The English Women's Golf Association, the PGA, the Golf Foundation and Sport England. For more information on the work of the Isle of Man Golf Partnership contact Karen McGurgan, Development Officer, Isle of Man Golf Partnership. Email: manxgolfpartnership@manx.net Issued on behalf of the England Golf Partnership by Richard Williamson Mobile: 07810 636 455 Email: egpnorth@yahoo.co.uk ENDS