Searching for young golfers in Durham

THE search is on for the next generation of promising young golfers in Durham.

The team of coaches at the Durham Golf Partnership County Academy are helping young players fulfil their potential

The county's talent-spotting programme is aimed at helping boys and girls with talent and enthusiasm to develop their golfing skills to enable them to progress within the game and reach their full potential.

The County Academy programme features high quality coaching from PGA qualified professionals for golfers in the eight to 18 age bracket.

The project is run under the umbrella of the Durham County Golf Partnership.

The first steps towards getting involved in the 2014 programme take place throughout January and February when free talent assessment days will be held.

The dates and venues are:

Sunday, January 26 (10am-2pm) - Hartlepool Golf Club

Sunday, February 2 (10am-2pm - Ramside Hall Golf Club

Sunday, February 9 (10am-2pm) - Headlam Hall Golf

Sunday, February 23 (10am-2pm) - Beamish Park Hotel Range

Players must register in advance to attend. Registrations must be submitted online or received via email/post no later than the Friday of the previous week of each date.

Players can register online by using the link https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SR32HVH or by downloading a registration form at www.durhamgolfpartnership.com

Further information is available from Lead Coach Mark Rayson on 0792 7754952 or by emailing durhamcap@hotmail.com

Says Mark Rayson: "With the support of the PGA professionals, the County Academy programme gives young players the chance to be as good as they can be."

Former County Academy players Ben Bailey (Wynyard GC) and William Skipp (Eaglescliffe) have been chosen for the England Golf U16 regional coaching squad while five of the girls have made their squad - Briony Bayles (Bishop Auckland GC), Aimee Goodlad (Castle Eden GC), Jessica Hall (Bishop Auckland GC), Kitana Hollins (Ramside Hall GC) and Alexandra Stevenson (Beamish Park GC).

Says Jonathan Ward, county development officer for the Durham County Golf Partnership: "The County Academy Programme is an important part of the junior golf set-up in Durham allowing players to develop their game while also providing a pathway towards the county level teams or finding the right club coaching for a young player to improve their game.

"High quality coaching and training is combined with appropriate physical training, lifestyle management, psychology, and nutrition advice.

"Each player follows an individualised training programme with players and parents also provided with guidance on how best to balance the competing demands on the young player and maintain their interest. "

For more details of the activities in Durham visit www.durhamgolfpartnership.com/

For more information please contact:  
Jonathan Ward
County Development Officer
Durham County Golf Partnership
Website: https://www.durhamgolfpartnership.com/
Mobile: 07775 848602
Email: durhamcdo@hotmail.com