Success at the annual Bedfordshire schools rookie event

Bedfordshire Schools hosted their annual Rookie beginner event on the Par 3 Academy course at Bedfordshire GC with some excellent results and 10 girls participating in a total of 34 players.  This year saw the youngest ever set of players with the largest numbers coming from Lower Schools in Years 1-4 and further categories for Years 5-6 and 7-9.  There was also a significant increase in the number of players who have already joined a golf club and had some lessons, so this really was an exercise in giving those youngsters a first experience of transferring the skills learnt in lessons and on the practice ground onto the golf course and into the game of golf.   Three clubs in particular have young coaching programmes that are currently flourishing – at The Bedford GC, Leighton Buzzard GC and Beadlow Manor GC.  We also know that there is much activity at John O’Gaunt GC on this front, but entries were low from that part of the county this time.

Players were supervised by students from Wootton Upper throughout who did an excellent job as Sports leaders, without specific experience in golf at all.  Although the game had 2 conditions within the rules where a compulsory penalty shot was taken from the long rough and putts inside 2 feet were given, the scoring nonetheless was outstanding as many with starter 54 handicaps played significantly under the course. 

Elin Tommey (Parkfields Middle and Leighton Buzzard GC) again showed outstanding promise scoring 39 pts over 9 holes playing off a 42 handicap.  Annabella hay (Alameda Middle and Beadlow Manor GC) also won the Most Promising young golfer award for the Years 5 and 6 category with 28 pts.

For most players this was a first experience of playing in a Schools competition and also learning the many aspects of getting started in playing the game of golf with different unknown playing partners, scoring, on a new unfamiliar course and having an outside classroom for the day!  Much experience and confidence gained by many that Bedfordshire Schools Golf Association(BSGA) hope will inspire them all to go out more in the summer holidays to improve further.  Many thanks to all the Golf Clubs and Club Professionals that donated prizes aimed at getting them to play more golf.

Thank you Dave Sweetnam (BSGA Secretary) for organising a successful schools event and in particular B.L.C.G.A are delighted with the number of girls who took part.  Thank you for your report and photo's.

Rookie Results Click HERE

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