PGA pro plays part in helping Oundle win GolfMark status

A Northamptonshire golf club, which has launched an innovative membership scheme, has received national recognition for its approach to attracting a new generation of players.

Oundle Golf Club has been awarded GolfMark, a seal of approval for junior and beginner friendly facilities, which play an important role in the development of the game.

Head PGA pro Richard Keys (pictured, below, centre at the back with the Oundle team) has been instrumental in raising the profile of the club with visits to local schools to promote golf and he has also recently been running taster sessions to encourage more ladies to take up and enjoy golf.

One the club’s biggest successes has been its Lifestyle membership, which recognises that not everyone interested in playing the sport can afford to commit the time or money to becoming a full golf club member.

The category is based on a ‘points for play’ system which sees golfers pay a reduced membership fee in return for a number of points, which are then used to play rounds of golf at a time to suit the player.

The present cost is just £275, which includes a £50 administration fee that includes Affiliation Fee payments to England Golf and Northamptonshire Golf Union and a £25 joining fee, which is credited to the member’s bar card.

The new player receives 100 points, with a weekday round costing eight while it is ten points to play at a weekend.

Players can establish a handicap for themselves, receive 10 per cent discount on bar and food purchases and can upgrade to full membership.

Oundle GC – which was founded in 1893 and is the second oldest club in the county – also has an active junior section under organiser Andrew Ireson.

The club set-up a committee to work towards GolfMark, which included past captains Terry Beckett, Richard Cole and Dave Foley along with 2012 Ladies Captain Pat Wilkinson and club professional, Keys.

Foley commented: “We wanted to offer a flexible membership option for people who may not have the time to play a round of golf every week, but who still wanted to dip their toe into golf club membership to see how things are organised and what is available to them on the social side as well as sporting aspect of club life.

“Not everyone has the time or money to be able to commit to full membership, but this gives them a real taste of the many benefits of club membership.”

GolfMark is a national scheme that incorporates ClubMark and recognises junior and beginner friendly golf facilities that focus on coaching and playing, club environment and child protection.

David Davis, county development officer for the Northamptonshire County Golf Partnership, added: “Oundle has put a lot of hard work into achieving GolfMark and are to be congratulated on both taking a proactive and novel approach to club membership as well as their award.”

For further details on Oundle GC visit the website www.oundlegolfclub.com or ring 01832 273267.