by Tim Nuttall
Withernsea Golf Club is opening its doors next week for a day of activities aimed at introducing the sport, and the club’s facilities, to the wider community.
In partnership with Active Withernsea, the two organisations have been working closely over the last few years to raise awareness and participation in golf. Events this year have included indoor taster sessions, hosted at the town’s Meridian Centre, plus a Swing into Spring Junior Golf experience for young people, age 18 and under, delivered at the club by Ivan Oliver – a PGA- qualified level 3 golf professional.
On Monday, May 27, this promotional work will continue with a dedicated open day featuring pro taster sessions, a putting competition and the chance to play a hole with a club member. Variations of golf including footgolf, a hybrid sport combining football and golf, and disc golf – a sport in which players throw a disc at a target using rules similar to those used in golf – will also feature alongside inflatable golf and a boules competition.
The event, which takes place between midday and 6pm at the club, in Egroms Lane, is open to all ages and is designed to help make the sport, and the club’s facilities, more accessible to the community.
Explaining the wider purpose of the open day, Will Wilson of Withernsea Golf Club said: “Some golf clubs have helped to retain the image that golf is a game played by the wealthy and elite. This is something that Withernsea Golf Club has never tried or even wanted to do.
“Golf is a sport for anyone, regardless of age or ability, and with our open day we are welcoming anyone to the club to participate in any way they want. We are aiming to provide a wide range of golf-based activities for all abilities and ages, alongside opportunities for people to play darts, boules and pool as well.
“By opening our doors to the community, we are hoping people will see what a great place the golf club is and be encouraged to participate at any level they feel comfortable with – assured that a warm and friendly welcome awaits.”
Reflecting on the club’s history, chairman Neil Baxter added: “As the latest in a long list of people who have held the office of chairman, I feel privileged to be associated with Withernsea Golf Club at a time when we are developing our facilities and looking to open them up to residents of the town and the local area.
“The golf course, and its associated club, have been in their current location since 1909. Over the years people have forgotten what a precious facility they have on their doorstep but, with recent events and the support of the community, I am pleased to say that we are poised to take the club on to a stronger, more sustainable footing and hopefully ensure that Withernsea will have a tremendous facility for the local community and visitors alike for years to come.”
The open day forms part of a wider week of celebrations linked with the relaunch of the town’s skatepark and new Urban Adventure Zone – a branded hub of activities at venues in the park’s vicinity, including the golf club, Withernsea Tennis, Withernsea Bowling Club, and East Riding Leisure, plus many others, which will form a keystone of activity in the town.
Kristina Richardson, pilot manager at Active Withernsea, said: “We are delighted to be staging a programme of activities during the May half-term holiday that will not only celebrate the redevelopment of the skatepark, but will also provide a platform for us to unlock the wider potential of the surrounding area by promoting the many sports and recreation opportunities that exist as part of our new Urban Adventure Zone.”
A 28-page guide booklet has been produced to promote the week’s timetable of activities and
to draw attention to the work of the clubs who form part of the new zone. Hard copies of the booklet will be delivered to the homes of Withernsea residents in the coming days, with a digital version of the guide available to download online from various sources including the Gazette website, and Active Withernsea’s website and social media channels.
Golf club open day – programme of events
12.30pm to 3.30pm: Putting competition
12.30pm: Under-nines
1.30pm: Ages 10 to 13
2.30pm: Ages 14 to 17
3.30pm: Ages 18-plus
1pm to 4pm: Boules competition 1pm: Under-nines
2pm: Ages 10 to 13
3pm: Ages 14 to 17
3.30pm: Ages 18-plus
2pm to 4pm: Foot golf
2pm: Demonstration
2.30pm: Try footgolf
4pm: Demonstration
4.30pm: Try footgolf
1pm to 3.30pm: Try disc golf
1pm: Demonstration
1.3opm: Try disc golf
3pm: Demonstration
3.30pm: Try disc golf
Noon to 4.30pm: Pro taster sessions Noon to 1pm: Men’s ball striking tips 1pm to 2pm: Ladies’ ball striking tips 2pm to 3pm: Men’s short game tips 3pm to 4pm: Ladies’ short game tips 4pm to 4.30pm: Chipping and putting
4.30pm to 6pm: Putting tips and games
Play a hole with a club member – every 30 minutes from 12.15pm.
