Be Inspired With CGI's Get Into Golf Programme

Do you have friends or family who are interested in getting into golf? Or have you been thinking about taking it up but are not sure about how to go about it? Then the Confederation of Golf in Ireland (CGI) Get into Golf Programme is the perfect place to start.

In 2015 over 100 Irish golf clubs participated in the programme; many of which were specific to ladies. It has been noted by many participants that it is a great way for beginner golfers to meet new ladies of a same standard and also to be introduced to existing members who can introduce them to the beauty of the game.

Courtown Golf Club, in Co. Wexford had 60 ladies register on the programme this year with 42 joining as introductory members and a further 3 as full members.

Two of these ladies got their handicaps straight away.

Management of the programme was not an issue for Courtown said Eileen Cullen, the club liaison officer said

“We set up a ‘Whatsapp’ group chat so that all the newbies could chat together and it became quite social for them. They have attended a number of social events in the club and are getting out on the course on a regular basis now too.”

Interestingly Courtown did not find it hard to recruit participants for the programme, after one email sent to existing club members their sisters, wives, girlfriends and daughters were applying. Furthermore, two ladies who had been members of Courtown for a number of years, but had become inactive, also signed up and they are now back playing regularly and enjoying themselves.

“It is definitely interesting to see the number of ways that this initiative can help clubs to not only recruit but to retain members also,” Eileen added.

In Bandon Golf Club, Co. Cork, 58 of the 78 participants took up the introductory member offer from June – November of this year and the club are hoping to introduce a beginner membership offer at a reduced rate from next year. “There was great support from CGI, especially the running of a workshop at the beginning of the programme for us in the club. It was a great success overall for us and I would recommend any club to give it a go!” explained Noelle Burke from Bandon.

Kirkistown Castle, Co. Down, not only had 30 ladies participate in the Get into Golf Programme but they were involved in the Business Planning Process that CGI also offer to all clubs in Ireland also.

“We had fantastic interest in the ladies taking up the introductory 3 month membership,” said Judith the General Manager at Kirkistown Castle.

“As a finale to the introductory membership package we ran a 5 hole competition last Saturday where three new members played with one existing member, the ladies had a great day despite the unfavourable weather! We have already had two or three sign up for full membership next year and we are confident that we will have a few more join also.”

Your clubs can benefit from the CGI’s experience and expertise in 2016 by applying to participate in the 2016 programme.

The application form is available online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FDQ7Q5C 

More Information available HERE: http://www.cgigolf.org/get-into-golf-2016