Bramley golf club have approached the encouragement and development of junior golf with an open and forward thinking attitude backed up by a well managed programme.
Gary Peddie General Manager and Director of Golf attributes the success of the programme to the junior organiser Steve McNeill who manages the Junior programme.
The programme starts with the recognition that the game of golf relies on young people entering the game followed by the understanding that many will move to other clubs but others will come to Bramley from other clubs.
The junior section starts with the PIP's who move onto the Junior section.
Bramley has 40 PIPS who are aged between 5 and 8 years. They meet twice a month for golf tuition from the PGA pro's. The PIP's started as children of members but has now moved on to children of friends and family.
Bramley run a PIP's competition which is held on the same day as the Junior medal and is arranged over 3 holes which are shortened to 150yards, on average 12 PIP's play. The PIP's are accompanied by parents.
Part of the encouragement to enter and play the game is the complete relaxation of the dress code (with the exception of football shirts) for the PIP's but part of their training is the education on dress code, conduct, etiquette and the rules.
When the PIP's reach an adequate ability they have the opportunity to join the Junior section. At this stage they have to abide by the dress rules of the club.
PGA run Junior coaching takes place weekly at weekends and typically there are 3 sessions with 8 juniors in each.
The Juniors Committee, led by Steve, run Stableford and Medal Competitions and Matches. The frequency is increased during school holidays with special events.
The Junior Section comprises 114 members including 16 girls and the Junior organiser has the authority to recruit as many Juniors as he wants.
The Junior section is well supported by the members of the club who support the appointment of a Junior Captain and Vice Captain whose photographs are proudly displayed alongside other dignitaries. They also support the Junior AGM which follows the Junior Captain drive in and Putting out ceremony.
The AGM is chaired by the Junior Organiser, Steve, and is run in accordance with the published agenda and associated reports and financials.
At the AGM the Junior Captain is formerly welcomed and makes a short speech, again all part of golf development.
Typically, present at the AGM will be the Junior Organisor, members of the Junior committee, the club General Manager as a guest, Club Captain, Ladies Captain, President and Chairman, 25 - 30 parents and 20 plus juniors.
Club competition entry for juniors has minimum restrictions, girls can play in any ladies competition, boys can play in any competition if they have a maximum handicap of 18 but they must be 12 handicap or below to play in an honours board competition.
Notable junior players at Bramley are Sam Wood who is 12 years old and has a handicap of 7 and Fiona Stannard who is 15 years old has a handicap of 15. Both players have represented Surrey.
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