After the launch of their new “SJG Free Junior Golf Sessions” initiative Suffolk Golf have said that the first of the free junior events was a tremendous success. Tony Dobson, the PGA Professional and organiser of the campaign said “We attracted 53 juniors from all over Suffolk all aged between 4 yrs and 12 yrs old and it was great to see them enjoy themselves and having a go at a new sport. Our aim is now to increase these numbers over the next few weeks and then introduce them to what is available next for them, whether it be getting involved in the junior programme at their local golf club, getting involved in the Suffolk Junior Development Squad or maybe eventually in to the Suffolk Junior County Coaching squads.”

Suffolk Junior Golf had identified that the numbers of juniors playing golf in Suffolk had declined as it has globally. Therefore they launched this new programme to encourage more juniors into the game. The events have been organised by Tony Dobson, PGA Professional at Stonham Barns Golf Centre, with assistance from Joe Cardy, PGA Professional and Alastair Spink, the Suffolk Golf Partnership Development Officer. In addition they were assisted by the newly formed Suffolk Youth Panel represented by Sarah Howe, Melissa Schroeder, Max Hemson and George Copsey.

The next SJG Free Golf event will be at Stonham Barns Golf Centre on Saturday 10th May, again in three one hour time slots starting at 1.00pm, 2.00pm and 3.00pm. Any junior, boy or girl, between 4 yrs and 14 yrs can attend and no experience in golf is required. All equipment will be provided.

Suffolk Junior Golf Sessions

• FREE Introductory Golf Sessions
• Stonham Barns Golf Centre
• Saturday 10th May 2014
• 1.00pm, 2.00pm and 3.00pm
• Open to Boys and Girls – Ages 4 to 14yrs
• Have Fun and Learn to Play Golf
• Taken by PGA Golf Level 3 Coaches (CRB/DBS Checked)

• Book Now - Call 01449 711545

To book your place contact Tony Dobson, PGA Professional at Stonham Barns Golf Centre on 01449 711545 or email [email protected].

Stonham Barns Golf Centre is a Get Into Golf Starter Centre based in the heart of Suffolk between Ipswich and Stowmarket. (Postcode IP14 6AT). This RangeMark accredited facility has a short 9 Hole Golf Course, a 28 Bay Golf Range and a Mini Putting Course. In addition Stonham Barns has over 30 shops, a restaurant and many other attractions. For any further information see their website www.stonhambarnsgolf.co.uk. 

Amazingly a footgolfer named Pele (Pele Haydon) won the first ever UK Ranking FootGolf Tournament at Stonham Barns Golf Centre on Sunday 13th April. The event attracted over 30 footgolf players from around the region and is the first of a number of ranking events run by the UK FootGolf Association all over the UK.

Pele Haydon won the tournament by 3 shots after scoring a great score of 58 for the 18 hole event. In 2nd place was Oliver Riches who scored a 61 and in 3rd place (on countback) was Ian Haydon (father of Pele) who also scored a 61. The junior winner was Josh Driver who scored a 69 and the ladies winner was Emily Donnachie. We should mention the incredible hole in one achieved by Paul Dobson on the 7th hole which lifted him into the top twenty and gaining valuable ranking points. It’s the first hole in one at FootGolf achieved on the Stonham Barns FootGolf course since it opened last August.

Pele and many of the players are aiming to play in as many of the ranking tournaments as possible in a bid to top the National Rankings at the beginning of September. The leader will get an all expenses paid trip to New York to represent the UK and compete in the US FootGolf Open later that month.

Footgolf is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK and combines two great sports, golf and football. The game is played on a golf course to larger holes (21” diameter cups) with a size 5 football. Players then play around the course kicking the football using rules largely based on the rules of golf. 

FootGolf is now being taken seriously around the world, in fact recently the president of the US PGA, Ted Bishop, endorsed FootGolf saying that he was excited by the prospects of FootGolf as a way to bring people in who are into football and to give them the opportunity to go to the golf course, experience what it’s like to play round a course and maybe then come along and try golf. 

There are a number of UK Ranking tournaments around the country and all the details of these events can be found at www.ukfootgolf.com/2014-events/4582748787.

The next FootGolf UK Ranking event at Stonham Barns will be on Sunday 18th May.  This event is open to anyone, mens, ladies and juniors. All footballs and equipment is provided. To enter contact Tony Dobson at Stonham Barns on 01449 711545 or email [email protected].