Norfolk Schools Golf Development Fund calls on schools, clubs and local partners to help grow the game
A new Norfolk Schools Golf Development Fund is being developed to help more children and young people across the county experience golf and connect with local opportunities to keep playing. The fund has been made possible thanks to the generosity of former President of the Norfolk County Golf Union, Bob Carrick, and a group of friends who want to do something practical to help grow the game locally.
I was born into a golfing family, my mother, Peggy Carrick, played for England just before and after the second world war and my sister, Angela Uzielli, was British Ladies Champion in 1977, English Champion in 1990 and played in the Curtis Cup in 1979. I started playing golf at the age of 4 and am still playing actively 73 years later. Golf is truly a game for life.
My dream is to improve access to golf and to open up the game to new and underrepresented audiences in two ways:
- To introduce golf into state primary schools via the Golf Foundation's Unleash Your Drive initiative
- To produce better relationships between schools and golf clubs to allow young golfers new to the game to develop their skills.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank those friends of mine who have contributed significant sums to the Norfolk Schools Golf Development Fund to make this happen. I am extremely grateful to all of them. Their support will help schools access the Unleash Your Drive programme, while also creating opportunities for clubs, PGA Professionals, Community Golf Instructors and local partners to support beginner activity for children and young people.
The Golf Foundation is working in an advisory role on the project, with Unleash Your Drive sitting at the heart of the schools offer. Through Unleash Your Drive, schools can receive a fully funded package including online teacher training, golf equipment, lesson plans, resources and an impact measurement tool. The programme uses golf to help children build Mental Toughness skills such as focus, resilience, emotional control, positive self-talk and confidence, while introducing them to the game in a fun and accessible way.
The fund is also looking to support activity that helps children take the next step into a local golf environment. A Coaching Bursary is now open for applications and will consider beginner-friendly opportunities such as taster sessions, Unleash Your Drive in Clubs, golf festivals, school-to-club links and other activity that helps young people get started at clubs and golf facilities.
Andy Leigh from the Golf Foundation said:
"Bob has shown real passion and drive in wanting to create more opportunities for children and young people in Norfolk. The support he and his friends have brought together gives us a chance to build something meaningful locally, with schools, clubs and delivery partners all playing a part. Unleash Your Drive is a really strong fit because it gives schools a simple way to introduce golf while also helping children develop Mental Toughness skills that can support them beyond the lesson. We're pleased to be supporting the project from a Golf Foundation perspective and helping shape something that can make a lasting difference.”
We are keen to hear from:
Schools interested in the fully funded Unleash Your Drive package
Junior organisers at golf clubs, PGA Professionals, Community Golf Instructors, Schools Sports Partnerships and other community partners across Norfolk who can help encourage more children and young people to play golf.