On 17th February a presentation took place at the Club to mark the recent award by the EGU of its valuable GolfMark accreditation to Liphook GC. GolfMark is a national scheme that identifies and recognises clubs with outstanding junior and beginner friendly golf facilities. Keith Maplesden, Chairman of the Hampshire Golf Partnership, and Beverly Huke, County Development Officer, presented the official EGU GolfMark certificate and plaque to Ian Hewitt, Club Captain. Ms Huke said: "Hampshire Golf Partnership is thrilled that a prestigious club such as Liphook should become one of the first eight clubs in the county to have gained GolfMark status."
In order to achieve this accreditation, three key areas within the golf club were rigorously assessed. They were : Coaching & Playing, Club Environment (including sports equity & ethics) and Child Protection & Duty of Care. James Wardrobe (Junior Organiser), Ian Mowbray (Club Professional) and John Douglass (Managing Secretary), who were all closely involved with the effort to achieve GolfMark, together with James Taylor, Junior Captain, were also present at the award ceremony.
What are the benefits of this award for Liphook? Firstly, we shall have access to greater levels of funding and grants for the Club. We shall receive more recognition within the local community for the Club's commitment to junior golf and positive promotion via the EGU/EWGA websites. Furthermore, we can better guarantee well-coached, committed and educated juniors, many of whom will go on to become the next generation of adult members.
In order to fulfil all the assessment requirements, there were seventy-eight criteria to meet, of which thirty-four represent the minimum necessary standards. Here is just one example from each of the three assessed areas : Girls and boys must have equal rights to enter into junior competitions; The golf club must have adopted an equal opportunities/sport equity policy; The golf club must have adopted the Children in Golf Safeguarding and Child Protection policy. In acknowledging Liphook's achievement, Andy Willems, EGU Regional Development Officer, said: " I would like to thank the whole team at Liphook for the amount of work you have put in, and many congratulations in achieving the award. Your efforts have been second to none and you have produced a very good and comprehensive GolfMark evidence file, which is much appreciated."
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