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Devon Golf Partnership – Devon Junior Academy

Padbrook Park Golf Club was the venue for the first County wide gathering of the Devon Junior Academy.

Forty three of the current intake met with their coaches and enjoyed a full day of golf. There were four skills challenges, a rules quiz and a 9 hole Stableford competition.

The revolutionary new coaching programme is funded by a grant from Sport England awarded to the Devon Golf Partnership. The aim of the programme is to nurture and develop promising young golfers who, it is hoped, will go on to represent their County, Country or even get onto the PGA European Tour.

Students, boys and girls, age 7 to 14 receive 10 coaching sessions at one of four talent centres in the County; Royal North Devon, Yelverton, Teignmouth and Padbrook Park, as well as a personal player folder to help with their personal development and practice routines.

Coach Neil Holman, commented, “This programme puts the emphasis on the short game and regular, constructive practice.  It has certainly paid dividends for a large number of the students who have achieved large handicap cuts since the start of the year. The group of students from the east of the county have reduced their handicaps by a total of 110 shots; an average of seven shots per student”

With funding in place for 2010 the Devon Golf Partnership will be inviting nominations for the next intake from any parent, golf club official or PGA Professional.  Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Devon Golf Partnership website at www.devongolfpartnership.org.uk with a closing date for applications on Friday 18th December 2009.

Overall Winners

Division A: 1st - Harry Mayers (South), 2nd - Chris Snow (East)

Division B: 1st - Kieran Tanton (North), 2nd – James Cobb (South)

Division C: 1st - Ian Couper (West), 2nd – Gabriel Quinlan (South)

Nine Hole Stableford.

Ian Jarman – 20 points (South)

Jessica Francis – 20 points (South)

Skills Challenges

Bunker – Daniel Perry (East)

Chip & Run – Danny Guy (South)

Pitching – Cameron Hurd (South)

Putting – Nathan Davies (North)

Rules – Tom Hicks (South)

National Skills Challenge

National Final - Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire

12th September saw the fourth EGU/EWGA Skills Challenge National Final at the National Golf Centre, Woodhall Spa, with 26 players from across the country participating.

The Challenge took part on the magnificent short game area and driving range, and despite the hot weather players demonstrated determination and focus as well as a wide range of skills. The top 5 players from the three qualifying rounds between May and August qualifed in each category, along with the top 2 girls in each age group.

Devon were well represented with 3 players making it to the National Final. In the 9-11 Year category Samantha Found and Bradley Smith, both from Royal North Devon Golf Club, finished joint 3rd only one shot behind the winner with a score of 86. Samantha was also the leading girl finishing 3 shots ahead of her closest competitor. In the tough 15 to 17 Year category, Jimmy Mullen from Royal North Devon Golf Club, finished a close 4th only just behind the eventual winner on a score of 144.

Well done to all for representing Devon on the national stage. For more information on the National Skills Challenge or to register please click on the following link - www.getintogolf.org/skills

Regional Final - The Kendelshire Golf Club, Gloucestershire

The first National Skills Challenge Regional Final was held at The Kendelshire Golf Club recently. This was the first of two 'pilot' Regional Finals with an expectation that these will ultimatley be the qualifier for next year's National Final.

Out of the 20 players that qualified 11 were from Devon representing four clubs; Portmore Golf Club; Royal North Devon Golf Club; Willingcott Valley Golf Club and Yelverton Golf Club.

In the 8 Year and Under category, Charlie Tossell (Willingcott Valley) finished second only one shot behind the winner. Samantha Found (Royal North Devon) was the winner in the 9 to 11 Year category with Lauren Finlan making it a double for Royal North Devon Golf Club by winning the 12 to 14 Year category. James Poole from Portmore Golf Club was second in this age group with same score but edged out on countback.

The National Skills Challenge put all the players under pressure in a fun and competitive environment. A few of the watching 'Professionals' commented that their own golf and that of the County Squads they coach would improve dramatically if they practised regularly using these 'Challenges'!!

Active Devon Clubmark (GolfMark) Support Programme

Active Devon is delighted to announce the launch of a new Clubmark/GolfMark Support Programme. They are offering a 6 month package of intensive development support for clubs working towards NGB/Clubmark accreditation including the 'GolfMark' Award.
 
The programme is designed to support clubs through the process of obtaining their accreditation and will bring together a blend of focused seminar events, bespoke one to one support sessions and access to generic training workshops. More details of what support clubs will receive are detailed below:

• Access to 4 seminar events (Introduction to Clubmark/Club Action Planning, Funding & Grant Applications, Marketing & Promoting Your Club, Volunteer Management)
• 4 one to one support sessions featuring bespoke individual advice and mentoring on Clubmark portfolios from one of Active Devon’s expert development staff 
• £150 worth of vouchers towards Active Devon’s range of club / coach development workshops. These can be used towards the minimum standards courses required for Clubmark and/or to fund other club training needs.

Active Devon has successfully negotiated with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to secure its recognition of the programme and as such eligible clubs will be able to access funding to cover over 80% of the costs. Active Devon will support clubs to apply for funding from the Leadership & Management Advisory Service (LMAS).
 
By accessing the LMAS funding, clubs will need to fund just £150 towards the £800 total costs. And with all clubs receiving £150 of vouchers towards Active Devon generic workshops (Safeguarding & Protecting Children, Equity in Your Coaching) this represents exceptional value. 
 
The programme for the first cohort of clubs will commence on Wednesday 21st October 2009 in Exeter/East Devon.  The second cohort will commence on Wednesday 10th February 2010 in South/West Devon.
 
For further information on the programme or to discuss the needs for your club please contact James Bogue at Active Devon on 01392 263674 or 07790 884524. Or alternatively email james.bogue@devon.gov.uk.

Closing date for the first cohort applications is Thursday 8th October. Please contact Craig Townsend, County Development Officer for any GolfMark advice or guidance at info@devongolfpartnerhip.org.uk

GolfMark Award

Welcome.  Devon County Golf Union, Devon County Ladies’ Golf Association, and Devon County Professional Golfers’ Association have formed the Devon Golf Partnership.  Our purpose is to grow the game in our county so that more people can enjoy the health, fitness, and social benefits of playing golf on Devon's scenic golf courses.  We are promoting the game of golf, and aim to introduce more people to the game, encourage regular participation in competitive golf, and improve the standard of play at all levels.  We are working closely with Devon golf clubs and other golf facilities, with universities, colleges and schools, and with local and national sports partnerships, to deliver golf development programmes and initiatives.  Click on the logo to see how you can Get into Golf

The Devon Golf Partnership is currently funded by grants from the England Golf Partnership (English Golf Union, English Women's Golf Association, and the Professional Golfers’ Association) and Sport England. We are also supported by the Golf Foundation and by Active Devon.  In addition, commercial sponsorship is being sought, with an opportunity to advertise on this website.  For further information about sponsoring the Devon Golf Partnership or getting into golf in Devon please contact info@devongolfpartnership.org.uk

To find information on golf clubs, driving ranges and other golf facilities in your area, including membership availability and costs, green fee rates, local accommodation, and special offers, click on the logo to tap in to EGU Golf Central

To connect to club websites for more detailed information click on Links - Devon Golf Clubs

Congratulations to Bigbury, Dainton Park, Fingle Glen, Portmore, Royal North Devon, Sidmouth, Teignmouth, Thurlestone & Yelverton Golf Clubs who have been accredited.  There are many benefits for golf clubs who achieve GolfMark.  Click on the links for more information:- 

 Rewards and Recognition and  GolfMark Accreditation Process