Starting Up
In 2008 Balbriggan Golf Club, Co. Dublin decided to introduce a cadet section of membership as a sub-section of their Junvenile Committee within the club. This section would be open to boys and girls until they reached 12 years of age. Philip Tracey was appointed coordinator and he formed a committee from within the membership to help with the new cadets.
In looking for ideas in working with younger juniors Philip met with Rory Leonard of Junior Golf Ireland and a decision was taken to implement a coaching programme using JGI's Player Manual 1. This programme was delivered by volunteers under the guidance of PGA professional, Nigel Howley and with training from JGI's Rory Leonard. This JGI Leader course gave the volunteers some basic coaching tips plus ideas of how to organise group sessions with 8-11 year olds. Coaching took place every Saturday during the golfing season after the 20 players were first registered with JGI. This allowed the boys and girls to receive a JGI certificate and goody bag on completion of the coaching sessions.
Developing the section
In 2009 Philip needed to recruit more helpers due to the growing demands of the cadet section. Three more adults, Ray Nugent, Robert Brennan and Pat Hogan joined the committee and together with Rory Leonard (JGI) planned the 2009 coaching programme. Again the cadet players were registered on day 1 and sessions took place every Saturday but this time sessions moved between the practice fairway and the course, playing 3-hole scrambles in the afternoon when the tee was clear. At the end of the sessions the cadets took the JGI rules test.
In addition the adult volunteers took a group of cadets to visit the JGI tent at the Irish Open at Baltray where they received more coaching tips from PGA Professionals. The cadets had a great day out watching tour pros in action. At the end of the summer all cadets, having completed the sessions in Player Manual 1 and their rules test, recevied their JGI certificate and goody bags at a prize giving session attended by the cadets and their parents.
Throughout the summer players also got a chance to complete the JGI Darren Clarke Skills Test and the top boy and girl were entered into the National Final which took place at Carton House in November. At the final Thomas Doran went on to become the top boy and he will be presented with the Darren Clarke Cup by Darren at the Champions Weekend later this year!
Future Plans
The club has now grown to having almost 50 cadet members transfer to the Junvenile section each year where PGA Professional, Nigel Howley and his assistants continue junior coaching and improve the juniors' skills. The fun introduction that the cadets have had to the game under the direction of the volunteers helps Balbriggan to retain them as members and further grow their strong junior section.
We would like to congratulate the club and wish Philip Tracey and his team all the best for 2010!
