Girls in Golf
As the school year comes to a close over 530 teenage girls are seizing the opportunity to play golf throughout summer thanks to JGI's Girls in Golf secondary schools programme. Thanks to the partnership of PGA professionals, golf club volunteers and school teachers the 2010 project was hugely successful.
The 10 week programme involved an introduction to golf skills, golf experiences at driving ranges, pitch and putt clubs and golf club membership induction. The highlight of the programme for the girls was the Gala Day, of which 11 were held across the country in May & June to mark a fun and enjoyable end to the programme. Efforts are currently being put in place by junior convenors to encourage participants to play golf throughout the summer.
The goals of the project are to promote golf among teenage girls, to increase the number of girls playing golf and to encourage an uptake in golf club membership. The project has been running since 2007 in conjunction with the ILGU and with support from the Irish Sports Council's Women in Sport programme.
Girls in Golf 2010
The 2010 project involves 31 golf clubs across Ireland: Adare Manor, Arklow, Athenry, Ballycastle, Bellewstown, Cahir Park, Castletroy, Co. Cavan, Co. Sligo, Donabate, Dungannon, Forrest Little, Grange, Headfort, Kenmare, Kilkenny, Laytown + Bettystown, Lucan, Mahon, Mallow, Nuremore, Omagh, Portadown, Portumna, Roe Park, Rossmore, Seapoint, South County, Tralee, Tubbercurry, Tullamore and Westport.
Click Girls in Golf 2010 Summary for a brief evaluation of the project to date.
Below are some examples of the projects in action:
Omagh
Drumragh Integrated College Omagh teamed up with Omagh GC for the programme. Coached by a PGA Professional and ably assisted by qualified volunteers led by Susan Anderson, 15 Year 8 and Year 9 girls travelled to the golf club for 10 weekly sessions which began in February, and even overcame the snow on one occasion! With the help of their school teacher and golf club volunteers the girls have been making great strides and Omagh Golf Club is hopeful that all of the girls will sign up as members. Pictured is the photo of the group at the Silverwood Gala Day - the Omagh girls were a big hit
Westport
The junior committee at Westport Golf Club decided to put a drive on for girl golfers. Having approached the Girls N Golf coordinator contact was made with the Sacred Heart Secondary School in Westport, where it turned out that over 100 1st and 2nd year girls were eager to have a go. An open day was arranged in the school and eventually the number was narrowed down to 20 girls who took part in fun coaching and golf activities through Girls N Golf in Westport Golf Club. Pictured are some of the group who took part at the open day at Sacred Heart School earlier this year.
Cahir Park
For a number of weeks 20 eager 1st and 2nd year girls from Colaiste Dun Iascaigh, Cahir attended Cahir Park Golf Club for the after school Girls N Golf sessions. They even had 2 pitch and putt outings to Tipperary and the group had a great dayat their Gala Day in Pococke GC, Kilkenny in May. PGA Professional David Ryan was very popular, along with their teacher and mentor Susan Carey, who thoroughly enjoyed the programme, "I love it and the girls love it. They're improving so quickly because David makes the games and activities fund and enjoyable. The sessions fly by".
"I love it, and the girls love it. They're improving so quickly because David makes the games and activities fun and enjoyable. The hour session flies by. "
Lucan
20 girls from St. Joseph's Secondary School, Lucan really enjoyed Girls N Golf. The girls travelled by bus each week to the lessons and tried putting, chipping and long shots at Lucan Golf Club, Celbridge Driving Range and Lucan Pitch and Putt club. Many of the girls are making huge strides and some are hoping to join Lucan Golf Club. Rain aside the girls really enjoyed the Gala Day in the Spawell in May!
Portadown
A group of girls from Clounagh Junior High School in Portadown had great fun during Girls N Golf. They travelled by the school bus to Portadown Golf Club where they were coached by Paul Stevenson. The Portadown girls were the winners of the putting challenge at the Silverwood Gala Day thanks to putting star Jenny Douglas. Pictured are the girls with their school bus.
Kenmare
The girls from Kenmare Community School were a big success for the club as 13 of the 20 girls joined Kenmare Golf Club. Huge thanks goes to the hard working ladies in Kenmare GC, particularly Stephanie Gane and Kim Kennedy who marshaled the programme from day one. The new girl members are continuing to play golf on Monday mornings throughout the summer and intend to travel to the JP McManus pro-am in Adare in early July. Pictured is the group with the statue of Arnold Palmer at Tralee GC.
If your school is interested in participating in 2011, or your club has vacancies for junior girls please contact the project co-ordinator Niamh Kitching at nkitching@juniorgolfireland.com or 087 6373767.
