Ball predicts a bright future

Students at a Worcestershire college have scored a hit with a sporting coaching qualification.        

The group from the Stourbridge Campus of Birmingham Metropolitan College have achieved their Level One PGA coaching badge enabling them to support the work going on to encourage more people to take up golf.

Students have been working with Worcestershire and Herefordshire County Golf Partnership development officer Alan Beard, Hagley Golf Club, lecturer David Faulkner and The PGA.

PGA tutor Pete Ball took the students through their paces on an intensive two-day course with all six delegates passing along with two members of staff from the college. He was full of praise for their efforts of the mixed group of 16 to 18 year olds, declaring: “This is some of the best coaching I have seen from a group this young.”

CDO Alan Beard says: “When a tutor of Pete Ball’s standing gives such positive feedback on the quality of the delegates, it makes you feel confident that golf coaching in the future will be in safe hands.

“The Worcestershire and Herefordshire CGP is working hard to grow the sport with initiatives such as Get into Golf. But it is also good to grow the number of potential coaches and volunteers who may work with clubs in the future to help safeguard their long-term well-being.”

The successful group were David Faulkner, Ben Symonds, James Hepherd, Jake Wallet, James Cox, Joe Round, Isabel Woodhall and James Ruston. Hagley GC and head coach Gareth Snelgrove will continue to support the work of both the CGP and the Stourbridge Campus, which is to offer a golfing academic qualification, with further Level One coaching courses available next year.