Announcements

A GOLF club is celebrating after its work to grow the game has received national recognition.

Grange Park Golf Club on Prescot Road has been awarded the GolfMark from governing body England Golf.

The Star reported in 2016 when the club, a member of the Lancashire Union of Golf Clubs, celebrated its 125th anniversary.

One of the oldest clubs in the area, it opened in 1891 as The St Helens and District Golf Club.

GolfMark is an official seal of approval from England Golf for clubs which successfully work to develop the game in four ways.

These are attracting new members and increasing participation by existing members; using practical business planning to develop the club; offering coaching and playing opportunities for all golfers and ensuring safeguarding policies and procedures are in place.

Grange Park, which has a membership of more than 500, has 18-hole parkland course and many ongoing improvements include a completely refurbished locker and changing facilities.

Innovative membership schemes and initiatives such as ‘Get into Golf’ have included coaching sessions for beginners and have helped grow membership numbers.

New Academy Course tees were installed in 2016 and regular junior coaching sessions are held to help support the growing Junior Section.

Grange Park's director of golf Stephen Dunne, who led the club’s push to GolfMark, said: “Grange Park is a great club with a very friendly, welcoming atmosphere for ladies, gents and juniors alike, and a host of opportunities to learn and to enjoy golf regardless of ability.

“An excellent food and beverage offering combined with a vibrant social calendar ensure that the benefits of membership are enjoyed both on and off the course.

“There are around a 140 golf clubs affiliated to the Lancashire Union and only 12, including Grange Park, have received GolfMark to date, so it’s something that we can be proud of.

"This award helps us to spread the message of what we have to offer and acknowledges the valuable role of staff and volunteers from the membership who continue to drive the club forward.”

The award was presented to Grange Park by Adam McAlister, England Golf’s club support officer for Lancashire.

Mr McAlister said: “I’m delighted that Grange Park has achieved GolfMark and that its efforts to grow the game can be nationally recognised.”

The GolfMark award was developed by England Golf and integrates Sport England’s Clubmark award - a national standard for quality sports clubs recognised across the country.

GolfMark brings a number of benefits to clubs including raising awareness, access to funding, business and marketing support and training opportunities for staff and volunteers.

More on golfmark.org and grangeparkgolfclub.co.uk