Club awarded £50K by Olympics legacy fund

A golf club managed by a member of the Golf Club Managers’ Association’s (GCMA) national committee has been awarded £50,000 by Sport England‘s 2012 Olympics Legacy Fund to build a new academy course.

Morpeth Golf Club in Northumberland, managed by Terry Minett, who is the GCMA’s representative for the northern region, is so far the only golf club in the country to receive money from the £135 million Olympics fund, which has been created to improve British sports’ clubs in 2012. Hundreds of golf clubs applied.

The club, which has more than 900 members, will create a new four-hole par three academy course to encourage youngsters and adult beginners to the game. It will also use the money to improve course drainage, refurbish the ladies’ and girls’ changing facilities and improve other practice facilities.

Terry said: “The award is recognition of the changes made in golf over the last 20 years. The most exciting aspect of it all is our new four-hole par three academy course which will be fully operation at the start of the 2013 season for adult beginners and youngsters.

“The support for the development of our practice facilities is testament to the work started four years ago at the club to involve new people into the sport. We have had excellent support from our county development officer at the county golf partnership and the improvement in our practice facilities will ensure we can encourage greater numbers of people to play and improve their game.

“I believe that the new facilities will be among, if not, the best, practice facilities at any traditional members’ club in the county. Our members are excited about the developments at the club – there is a vibrant atmosphere and I hope the new members who have joined us over the past 12 months will be joined by many more in the weeks to come.

“A full 18-hole course can be a bit daunting to people new to the sport. Golf is no longer an elite sport played by a minority of affluent people. Golf is in my opinion an unrivalled sport for involvement of all ages and sexes; we have members aged from 5 to 85. I always thought Morpeth was a special golf club, but the award of this funding has proven that it is unique!”

Keith Davidson, club chairman, added: “After the purchase of the freehold in 2009, this, and the award of GolfMark status in 2011, provide clear recognition of the club’s drive, determination and ambition. We believe we are building a lasting legacy for future generations of golfers in the town. The club is one of the best in the county and this award helps to build on the momentum we have created – we hope our members and the community will be inspired to use and be proud of the new facilities.

“To be the only golf club awarded a grant in the first round of funding is a fabulously satisfying achievement and a fantastic endorsement of our club and its passion to develop the sport.

“We are proud to be part of the Olympic legacy in 2012. The schedule of work is currently being finalised and we are aiming to open the facilities for use before the Olympic torch visits the town on June 15.”

Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery, who presented the cheque to the club, said: “The Sport England people have told me the thing which stood out most about Morpeth’s application is how serious they were about getting youngsters to take up the sport and there was no hint of elitism on their agenda.

“That is what it is all about; giving the boys and girls the opportunity to play the game rather than sit around at home playing the Tiger Woods version on their Playstations.”

The regional grants manager for Sport England, David Mitchinson, said: “This is the first round of grants from the Inspired Facilities Programme and two thirds of the applicants were turned down.

“Morpeth’s application was well researched, presented and costed and it was clear their hearts are in the right place, that they wanted to reach out to the community as a whole and youngsters in particular.

“Of the hundreds of golf clubs in the country who applied, theirs was the most convincing case.”

The club will now carry the London 2012 ‘Inspire’ mark – which will demonstrate its links to the Olympics.