Section One

OVERVIEW

1.0  Introduction

The aim of ‘Development Plan Part 1’ is to outline the current position of golf in a national, regional and county context.

The Development Plan was written based on information gathered from the English Golf Union Ltd (EGU), the English Women’s Golf Association (EWGA), the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), the Golf Foundation (GF), the England Golf Partnership (EGP), Sport England (SE), the Whole Sport Plan (WSP), School Sports Partnerships and Partnership Development Managers, the Middlesex Ladies County Golf Association, the Middlesex County Golf Union, the Middlesex County Professional Golfers’ Association, local golf clubs and facilities.

For the first time, golf has been identified as one of the top ten sports in England and it is hoped that, with the successful implementation of the WSP, there will be some significant changes to English Golf. To achieve success and ensure effective delivery there will be a new ‘ONE VOICE’ structure, that embraces men, women, professional, amateur, the able-bodied and disabled. The formation of The EGP brought the National Governing Bodies (NGB’s) of Golf in England together and it was felt appropriate that this structure be mirrored at a local level in the form of County Golf Partnerships (CGP).

In September 2004 work began with Northamptonshire and Surrey to form CGP’s as ‘pilots’ upon which future partnerships would be developed.

Chronology of CGP development: 

In January 2007, the Middlesex County Golf Union, “Golf Development sub-committee”, discussed the concept of a County Golf Partnership. In March 2007 the Union, Association and PGA met, and in May 2007, terms of reference were drafted for the Middlesex organisations to form a County Golf Partnership. Funding was issued by the English Golf Union and English Women’s Golf Association to support the early programmes of work and monthly meetings were scheduled thereafter. Middlesex county forums were held in October 2007 at Ealing and Hendon Golf Clubs, with over 45 people attending, representing 15 clubs from the county area. The workshops addressed: golf’s strengths and weaknesses, recruitment, retention, priority groups and important areas for future planning. These workshop ideas will be used to form the basis of the development plan part 2 – “Action plans.”

MCGP Aim & Objectives: 

Aim

Within the county of Middlesex, to promote the game of golf and standard of play, to introduce more people to the game and into regular participation, regardless of age, gender and background.  The aim will be achieved through the production, implementation and review of a development plan which will delivered to the constituent bodies working in partnership with other agencies at both local and national level.

Objectives

• To introduce more people to the game golf regardless of age, gender or background

• To develop greater links between schools, colleges, local authorities and golf clubs

• To increase sustained participation in golf

• To increase club membership

• To improve standards of play, etiquette and rules

• To promote Middlesex golf and its facilities to a wider audience