This programme is aimed at boys and girls aged 7 – 15, who have talent and interest but who are not part of the present County squad coaching programme. August 2009 will see the first in a series of events in this programme.

The first stage of this programme will be the staging of Open Talent Assessment Days to identify young golfers, boys and girls, who show talent and enthusiasm for the game. KGP is to run three Assessment Days in August 2009. Those with a disability are encouraged to take part, but if not selected will be made aware of other available programmes.

Following these days, it is planned to invite selected young people to move on to a County wide coaching programme based at County Training Venues.  This will provide the necessary coaching support to enable the young golfers to attain their full potential and to have the opportunity to progress to the County Junior squads.  Although subsidised, once selected, there will be a nominal charge for the six month programme.

The Talent Assessment Days will be held during School Summer holidays as follows:

• Tudor Park Golf Club, Maidstone – Wednesday 19th August
• Chelsfield Lakes Golf Club, Orpington  – Thursday 20th August
• Boughton Golf Club, Faversham – Wednesday 26th August

Each day will follow the same pattern. There will be a two hour session of coaching and assessment run by County appointed coaches. The sessions will be split into three components – long game, short game and putting. There will be skills challenges plus a short discussion with one of the coaches.

If you know of a junior golfer who would benefit from this initiative, please encourage them to register for one of the Assessment Days.

Registration for the Talent Assessment Days can be completed by downloading a form from one of the following websites:

www.kentladiesgolf.org.uk

www.kcgu.org

This site:  Kent Golf Search for Talent Registration Form 86.50 Kb

or from your Club Secretary,Pro or Junior Organiser.

Please email completed forms to gary@kentgolfpartnership.org.uk or post to:

Gary Bason,
Kent Golf Development Co-ordinator,
Manston Golf Centre,
Manston Road,
Manston, Kent CT12 5BE

Trials throughout the County were held between October 2007 and May 2008 with over 400 schools and 25,000 to 30.00 children taking part in 14 different sport of which TriGolf was one.Boys and girls from primary, secondary and special schools from years 3 to 11 competed.

The Games were led jointly by KCC Communities Directorate and Children, Families and Education Directorate. They are being developed through a partnership involving School Sport Partnerships, Specialist Sports Colleges and governing bodies of sport; all managed by KCC Sport, Leisure and Olympics Service and Advisory Service Kent.
13 teams of 10 children from different areas in Kent competed in 11 different challenges using TriGolf equipment. Canterbury were the eventual winners with East Kent Coastal runner-up and Thanet in third place.Carol McDonald from the Golf  Foundation did a wonderful job organising the TriGolf. This was no mean feat as she had 130 children, their teachers and supporters to keep in check!

Representatives from Kent Sports Development, Kent Golf Union, Kent County Ladies Golf Association and the Golf Foundation were also in attendance.

Jim Pocknell, the Partnership Chairman, along with Andy Willems, Regional Development officer for the English Golf Union, gave a presentation outlining the aims of the Partnership and the Development
Plan for 2008 to 2010.

Sheena Pitchford representing Kent Sports Development gave an overview of County Sports Development in general.
A little light relief was provided by Carol MacDonald of the Golf Foundation in the form of Tri Golf which was available to anyone wishing to “have a go”.

The basic objectives behind the new partnership are to promote and increase the awareness of the game in Kent, introducing more people to golf regardless of age, gender and background. 

The aim after that initial step is to help players to sustain their involvement and participation in golf by getting involved with clubs and competitions. 

This will be achieved by working with golf clubs in Kent, and other national agencies to produce and deliver a county golf development plan. 

The Partnership has already held a series of club forums throughout the county to advise Club Officials and Professionals of the scheme and to give them an opportunity to share their ideas for developing golf in the County so watch this space. 

The Kent Golf Partnership (KGP) as it is called, is receiving funding and support from England Golf Partnership to write a development plan for the county; if approved it will receive further funding to put the plan into action. In addition, Commercial Sponsorship will be welcomed with an opportunity to advertise on the upcoming KGP website. Anyone interested should contact Ian Betts for further information. 

The England Golf Partnership comprises the English Golf Union, English Ladies Golf Association and the Professional Golfers Association with support of the Golf Foundation and Sports England.