How Dainton Park Grew Its Junior Section From 40 to 120 and Won Junior Club of the Year
When Bradley Sercombe took over the junior section at Dainton Park Golf Club, it consisted of 20 to 30 registered members and a handful of regulars at the Saturday academy. Today, working alongside Chris Millington, he has built it into one of the strongest junior pathways in the region, with membership now at 120.
The growth hasn't happened by accident. Since 2019, Dainton Park has added a Monday Night Course Academy alongside its Saturday sessions, launched regular holiday camps, and now runs 16 junior competitions a year. Juniors can progress through multiple team pathways, including GolfSixes and county squads, with affordability kept front and centre throughout. It's the completeness of that pathway, from a child's first inquiry through to competitive golf, that saw Dainton Park named Junior Club of the Year at this year's President's Awards.
For Bradley, the motivation is personal. "I had a real passion for the juniors and I really believed we should have one of the best junior sections within our area," he says. "Especially as I was part of this when I was a junior and we had a really big section at the time and a lot of talent, something I believe Dainton should always have."
He's not finished. Bradley currently hosts an Unleash Your Drive programme at the club once a summer, and hopes to take it further, into local schools. "I do believe golf should be in schools and it offers so much more, not just golf but for their own wellbeing."
"Winning this award is the best thing Dainton has ever achieved. Over the last few years, I've worked as hard as possible to offer more and more to juniors and I now believe we are in a great position. I'm extremely proud to be part of the amazing golf club and it's a huge success for our junior section, hard work will always pay off."