A new festival of golf on the Isle of Man has proved such a success that it is set to become an annual event.
Nearly 150 children took part in the very first Tri-Golf Festival – with St John's Primary School coming out on top after a day of skills games and competitions.
The event was organised by the Isle of Man Golf Partnership in conjunction with Manx Sport and Recreation and could pave the way to a Tri-Golf programme being rolled out into schools.
The youth and community department of the Department of Education and Children has offered to go into schools to introduce Tri-Golf sessions either during the day or as part of after-school activities.
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.
“It is an enjoyable way of taking up the sport - even for those who have never picked up a golf club before.
“The festival proved a big success with all the children enjoying the different challenges. Golf is a great sport to become involved in at an early age, providing health benefits as well as a sporting challenge and, through membership of a club, the opportunity to make new friends and widen your social life.”
The festival was aimed at KS2 pupils and took place at the NSC Sports Hall with the 13 schools entering a team of five girls and five boys.
The festival was delivered by Andy Leigh, the North West Regional Development Officer for the Golf Foundation, and a team of PGA professionals and Level One coaches from the Island.
“Tri-Golf and GolfXtreme have only really been delivered on the Island for the last couple of years,” explained Andy Leigh. “To go from minimal activity in the schools to having a festival where 130 children, who had never had the opportunity to try golf, represented 13 schools from every corner of the Island is a credit to the work of the Isle of Man Golf Partnership and Manx Sport and Recreation.”
Ramsey and Mount Murray golf clubs took the opportunity to provide information on their coaching and membership for juniors.
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
Friday 13th, May 2011 12:55pm.
