It was a day to remember at The Open at Royal Liverpool for 12 youngsters from Our Lady of Compassion Primary School in Formby.
The boys and girls earned their experience by winning a School Festival at Hillside Golf Club when they attended The Amateur Championship in June in an event run in collaboration with England Golf.
The eager new players visited The R&A Swingzone beside the 14th hole at Royal Liverpool to play fun Golfway games that get youngsters from all backgrounds started in the game. Foundation Regional Development Officers Daisy Brierley and Tom Sparks led high energy games including ‘Drive for Show…’, ‘Finders Keepers’ and ‘Bullseye’.
Deputy Head Teacher Andrew Lawson, said: “The children loved their session with the Golf Foundation team today, it has been wonderful to be here at The Open; an adventure for us as we took the train to Hoylake, then enjoyed our golf games and we will now look to watch a few of the top players on the golf course.”
Golf Foundation RDO Tom Sparks was also impressed. “The youngsters were full of enthusiasm and represented their school brilliantly. They also learned some new golf skills during their introduction to The Open, thanks to this invitation courtesy of The R&A.”
The school is one of 40 school and community groups visiting The Swingzone this week, part of The R&A’s initiative ‘The Road to The Open’, which is growing the game in Merseyside, Lancashire and Cheshire around the famous golf championship – the initative is run in partnership with England Golf as an ongoing part of the junior golf strategy that the Golf Foundation and England Golf run together. Families visiting The Open are welcome to come along and putt, chip and more all week, including free golf lessons from PGA coaches.
