England Golf today launched its new strategy at Moor Park Golf Club. Raising Our Game: The Strategic Plan for 2014-17 sets out a vision to tackle the challenges facing the game.

England Golf today launched its new strategy to create a bright future for the sport at Moor Park in Hertfordshire.

Raising Our Game: The Strategic Plan for 2014-17 sets out a vision of England Golf at the heart of a network of partners, taking action together to tackle the challenges facing the game.

The strategy aims to tackle the decline in golf club membership and participation and create:
-    More players and more club members
-    Stronger clubs
-    Winning golfers
-    Outstanding championships for golfers of all abilities
-    Improved image of the game
-    Excellent governance

The plan sets out frameworks for action at club, county and national level and England Golf Chief Executive David Joy said: “What we are planning to do certainly isn’t easy, but it is important and by working together, by raising our game, we have a real chance of success.”

He went on: “We have much to do over the next three years, but we will be rewarded with a much better understanding of what golfers really want, whether they are club golfers or independent golfers, men or women, young or not so young. That knowledge will help us, collectively, to offer golf in the way golfers want it.

“This plan provides us with the opportunity to really work together, to combine our efforts for the good of the game.”

The strategy was introduced by TV sports personality Di Dougherty, who told the audience: “I really believe in the work of England Golf, the importance of this plan and in us all working together to promote and develop the game, which offers so much to so many people of all ages and abilities.”

The event highlighted a host of success stories from clubs across the country including:

Cookridge Hall Golf Club in Leeds, which has links with 50 local schools and gives taster lessons to around 1000 youngsters each year.

Stonelees Golf Centre in Kent has engaged with local disability groups to offer golf to over 100 disabled people

Tapton Park Golf Club in Derbyshire has launched a fifty plus golfing scheme designed to improve fitness through playing golf and linked to the local health and well-being strategy

Warley Park Golf Club in Essex, which attracted over 80 ladies to the club in a six week period, with 40 ladies taking up further coaching and playing opportunities.

Gaudet Luce in Worcestershire was one of the clubs featured in video footage, highlighting how they attract beginner golfers with the complete family environment, including a nursery, gym, hairdresser and beauty salon. The club’s memberships include a point-based package,over 160 juniors attend the golf academy each week, 120 people have been introduced to the game in six months through Get into golf and PGA professional Russell Adams works with blind golfers and a local special school.

To download and read the England Golf Strategic Plan 2014-17, visit: www.englandgolf.org

Caption: TV sports presenter Di Dougherty listens as England Golf Chief Executive David Joy introduces the new strategy (image © Leaderboard Photography)