National Golf Week Set to Hit New highs

PGA pros around the country are giving BAE SYSTEMS National Golf Week the �thumbs up� and registering in droves, following the announcement that the Daily Mail is supporting the campaign.

Registration is already running ahead of last year�s figures and numbers look likely to exceed all expectations.

And once again, Colin Montgomerie is offering his support by giving the campaign the thumbs up to the event for the third consecutive year. His involvement includes an active part in the official launch as well as encouraging new players of all ages to the game.

In addition to the Daily Mail promoting the event through its columns, its leading sister titles in Associated Newspaper have also agreed to support the week long campaign which runs from 7-15 April.

A series of events are planned during the week, all with the aim of coaxing beginners and newcomers to take advantage of free golf lessons with PGA professionals throughout the country.

Indeed, Monty will launch BAE SYSTEMS national Golf Week in his native Scotland by officially opening the Covered Dry Dock on the River Clyde in Scotstoun in March. Other major events around the UK have also been planned, including the Midlands Golf show at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on 8 April.

This show piece event is being pioneered by Birmingham City Council and has won the support of a number of partners including the Golf Foundation, the EGU, ELGA and Sport England. The event features a host of celebrities including Noel Hunt and his widely acclaimed trick golf show. Visitors will also be able to enjoy other free activities, all to do with golf for the family.

Jane Sixsmith, one of Britain�s top hockey starts, will be �giving golf a go� and she is jut one of a number of high profile sports personalities pledging support for the campaign�s objectives.

Golf fever looks certain to grip the whole of the UK, with a range of other activities taking place including a nationwide golf road show in Scotland visiting key city centre venues, thanks to the support of Golf Scotland. This will take the form of a team of professionals providing free golf lessons to members of the public from leisure centres and schools. Other high profile events are being planned around the Home Counties and the North East.

BAE SYSTEMS National Golf Week has been arranged to coincide with the Easter Holiday weekend � a time when organisers believe they will be able to target whole families to take to their local course or driving range.

Sandy Jones, chief executive of the PGA, said that the game was being taken to its grass roots in order to encourage more youngsters and families to take up golf.

He explained: "Everybody should be given a chance to have a go at the game and this campaign sets out to do just that. You�re never too old or too young to start and we�re confident that we�ll see a record number of people taking to the fairways for the first time ever.

"The whole initiative aims to make the sport more accessible by teaching them the rules of the game and the etiquette of golf, which removes some of the mystery surrounding the sport."

A special golf hotline � 08706 003330 � on which callers can be referred to their nearest PGA professional to book a free lesson, goes live on 14 March and will remain open until 15 April.

Further details about BAE SYSTEMS National Golf Week can be found on www.pganet.net or by calling The Professional Golfers� Association on 01675 470333.