AN initiative has been launched aiming to bridge a crucial gap for local junior golfers transitioning into golf clubs.
“Renzo’s Rookies” is supported by Renzo Martin, a prominent figure within Jersey golf.
Under the guidance of golf professional Andy Chamberlain, the scheme will guide junior golfers from his SRM Academy and into the budding junior section at Royal Jersey.
“SRM Academy has been in place for three years now and the end piece to that puzzle, but we have never had the bit inbetween to help bridge the divide,” said Chamberlain.
“With Renzo’s Rookies, we are now able to help the transition between the academy and membership to be a more seamless process.
“We noticed that a lot of children were dropping out and away from golf because of the jump between the stages and the fact it can be quite daunting.
“We are trying to ‘hold their hand’ through that adjustment of playing for a bag of Haribo in a skills game, to teeing it up with adults in the club competitions, because it’s a stark difference.”
SRM Academy has entered its third year under Chamberlain, with the number of juniors registered rising from 30 in their inaugural year all the way to 95 at present.
Children are eligible from the age of six, with the new rookies programme aimed at those aged 11 and 12.
“We are now seeing a very keen and active junior membership over recent years, which is great to see and helps show that the academy is working,” added the golf professional.
“There was a time, not too long ago, that we were really struggling with the number of children in the game, which was worrying.
“They are the future of the membership and, without a continued pathway available for them, the reality is that they would leave the sport in search of new hobbies.
“Having been in the industry for around 30 years, I see it slightly differently now. I am able to see their mentality and personality develop over the years.
“There are around four or five kids that I have been coaching since the age or four or five that are now 12 and seeing them progress, get handicaps and break into junior teams is brilliant to see.
“It’s exciting to think where they will be with the right support in another five years.”
The 18-strong squad of Renzo’s Rookies will continue to work on their long-game skills down at Longueville Golf Range and move into being exposed to a competition series at Royal Jersey, which for many will become their home club.
Once in the golf club, the juniors will be looked after by the professional golf team at Royal Jersey – namely Elliot Pritchard, who will aim develop their games further and take the juniors as far as their aspirations extend in the sport.
