FORWARD-THINKING initiatives have earned the Jersey Ladies Golf Development Group a nomination for the England Golf Women and Girls’ Trailblazer award.
Struggling for female members, Jersey golf clubs Les Mielles, Les Ormes and St Clements have banded together as one to create new opportunities for female golfers in the Island.
The ‘Jersey Women in Golf Working Group’ was formed between the three clubs, with the goal of setting up taster sessions to try and encourage new and former players to take up the game.
All three clubs focus on participation, inclusivity and fun.
This initiative, which started in late 2022, has been supported by Jersey Golf co-president Juanita Adlington, along with help from Jersey Sport’s Libby Barnett and Kate Dymott of England Golf.
Adlington said: “Being nominated for this award is incredible and a real testament to the hard work everyone has put in.
“We were seeing a real reduction in ladies’ membership numbers on the Island and we knew something needed to be done.
“Golf is the most amazing sport. It’s such a great social game, as well as being great fun and helps people to get outdoors too.
“We hope through initiatives like this we can encourage women on Island to want to get involved, make new friends and learn some new skills.”
The first taster sessions started back in early 2023 and they sold out throughout the year, and has already produced a total of 23 new female members signed up across the Jersey’s golf clubs.
Adlington continued: “When we first started, we thought if we could just get one or two more people into the game we will have made a positive impact.
“Seeing such popularity and rise in numbers already is fantastic.
“We are already planning to continue our taster sessions into next year, and have more ideas in the pipeline to come soon.
“Thank you so much to everybody who has given their time and efforts into what we have done so far.
“It is entirely down to the volunteers that we have been able to achieve this success.
“We are seeing real change, and we want to continue working hard to achieve so much more.”
The three club captains (pictured) will be attending the England Golf Centenary Dinner & Awards night on 13 February next year, in The Midland Hotel, Manchester.
Their fellow nominees for the award are the “Girls Golf Excellence” team from Reigate Hill Golf Club and Meghan Hopkins from 3 Hammers Golf Academy in Staffordshire.
All three nominees are doing incredible work to provide opportunities for female golfers of all ages to access the game.
Seeing these nominees receiving the recognition they deserve is a testament to the encouraging direction England Golf are moving in regarding the female game.
