NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNTY GOLF PARTNERSHIP
CHAIRMAN IZZARD’S BLOG
It has been a rather mixed start to the 2012 Golf season and the game faces many challenges as we look forwards. On the professional side we had a superb Masters tournament won by the flamboyant Bubba Watson and despite the suggestion from some quarters that his ball was kicked to a position for a shot, the curved wedge with spin out of the trees on the 10th hole was one amazing shot to set up his first major victory. More locally Gary Boyd kindly attended a NGU Junior training session to pass on his knowledge and experience and inspire some of our keen young lads. I think it was a bit of a shock when Gary stated “ Don’t turn Pro until you are of at least plus four handicap” good advice indeed, it’s a tough career being a tour professional and we wish Gary all the best for the season.
At National level after the merger of the Men’s and Women’s games have merged to form England Golf the structure is settling in and the staff are finding new ways to work now up at Woodhall Spa. We wait to see how this will all bed in so to speak and what lessons could be learnt from such a big step, which I am sure will move golf forwards. What funding after the Olympic Games will be available to support the game at local level we will have to wait till 2013 to find out. What happens locally re merger is being considered and was one of the big issues discussed at a recent Annual Forum.
In the county, the weather has been a significant factor keeping us golfers of the course and several courses look like peat bogs with so much water coming down. Most clubs are looking for members although a few have small waiting lists. This trend is being mirrored Nationally and the big new drive is called “Get in to Golf”. In the county we have 9000 Club members although there are also a significant number of casual golfers, join a club if you can it’s great fun. The NGU now have a super new website and on line entry is now in swing to the competitions, Kettering member Rod Handyside shows some great form in winning the Higgs Bowl at Collingtree Park, “old dogs still go hunting”. The men’s county team have made a solid start to the season by beating Norfolk both home and away, a bootiful result! Come on guys lets retain both trophies!
How we grow the game in Northamptonshire is the big question. What are the reasons why we can’t produce more Club Members?
Watch this space The Chairman’s on the case.
Martin Izzard
May 2012
