Award for Staffordshire golf driving range’s efforts to encourage youngsters

A Staffordshire golf driving range has been recognised for its efforts to get more young people into the sport.

The three-strong team of PGA professionals at Stone Driving Range have been working in local primary schools and are now planning to take the game out to older children.

Their efforts have been awarded the RangeMark – a national accreditation for driving ranges at the forefront of developing golf.

Junior Golf Organiser Chris Milward said: “We have seen an increase in the number of juniors taking part in our Academy programme or simply dropping in to give the sport a go.

“RangeMark shows we have the right child protection and safeguarding policies in place while our coaching team are all fully accredited.”

Stone Driving Range opened in March 2011, but already more than two million golf balls have been hit on the 22 bays.

The centre has helped introduce Tri Golf to primary schools in the Stafford and Stoke area and is now looking to develop golf schemes for both secondary pupils and those in the 16-24 age range at local colleges or universities.

“The Tri Golf has been really well received by both the pupils and teachers while the next 12 months will see us work more closely with the secondary schools,” Chris added. “We are beginning to establish links with Staffordshire University in Stoke and hope to build on that with other local colleges.”

Further information on Stone Driving Range can be found at www.stonedrivingrange.co.uk or by ringing 01785 760868.

Tags: Golf, Stone, Stone Driving Range

Category: Sport