Golf For Schools Programme
2 Years ago, Abbey Hill Golf Centre, launched it’s ‘Golf for Schools’ Initiative , an outreach strategy targeting children between the ages of 6-18 to experience golf for the first time either at the school environment through the use of Tri-Golf or at the centre using real equipment.
To date, we have had lesson contact with 51 primary schools, special needs or secondary schools in the Milton Keynes area reaching over 1500 children in the process. This has been through the delivery of 6-8 week block lesson programmes and handfuls have experienced taster session's through the Woughton and West Bletchley fitness weeks. Lesson programmes in the primary school environment involve the delivery of Tri-Golf classes for the first 6 weeks and then transition to the club environment for the last two weeks.
In September 2010, we ran the first ever MK Golf Festival, an inter-school Tri Golf competition between 10 primary schools at the Milton Keynes Academy. Schools, in teams of 6 took part in 10 tri-golf games around the Astroturf focusing on essentials such as putting, chipping and also movement games. The eventual winner was Stewkley school with a grand total of 22,600 points.
In 2011, we are looking to expand the programme further into more primary schools and the remaining secondary and special needs schools, as well as sustaining the links we have created with our current participating schools. We will also be expanding our interschool competition arm of the strategy, with the MK Golf Festival having both a North and South Qualifying section. We will also be running the first ever Abbey Hill Schools Cup, for secondary school children with handicaps.
We must extend a special thankyou to the Milton Keynes Schools Sports Partnership.
If you require any more information on any area of the ‘Golf for Schools’ Programme or would be interested in introducing golf in your school then please do not hesitate in getting in contact with Robin or David on 01908 563845 or the emails below.
Robin Cheng, Junior Academy Manager David Armor
PGA Professional PGA Teaching Professional PGA Teaching Professional
r.cheng@abbeyhillgc.co.uk d.armor@abbeyhillgc.co.uk
Testmonials
Just thought I would email to say congratulations to yourself and your team for a successful event this evening. All of my children really enjoyed it and it was great for four of my kids who had never represented the school before to do so. On speaking to other teachers we all want to take part ourselves and thought the young leaders were the best we had experienced,and how well it was organised.
Ian Cowper, Southwood School
"Milton Keynes Academy have established a very good relationship with Abbey Hill Golf Centre. Since introducing golf to the sixth form curriculum, a number of our students have experienced six week blocks of golf lessons with Dave and Rob, the experience has been first class. Students learnt new techniques and were being engaged all of the time. Students arrived to the lessons with a variety of ability, however, lessons were differentiated to suit each need. On completion of the course many students have continued to play golf and are regular visitors to the Abbey Hill Golf Centre where they are welcomed by all the staff. We will continue to build relations and hope a new Ryder Cup captain is formed from the Milton Keynes Academy"
Gareth Morris
Head of PE, The Milton Keynes Academy
‘’When we advertised an after school Golf Club our children were very excited and the club was over subscribed. All the children who attended thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Comments from the teaching staff highlighted improved motivation and, for some children, improvement in gross motor control and eye-hand coordination. We would certainly welcome the opportunity to further develop the teaching of golf in school.’’
Jan Kennington, Headteacher, Bradwell Village School
"Rob has worked with our children from years 3 to 6 for the previous year and they thoroughly enjoyed their learning. Rob arrives promptly for all sessions, is very well organised and ready for his teaching. Each session is differentiated and caters for beginners to children who were fairly confident golfers. The knowledge and skills which were taught by Rob empowered the children and built their enthusiasm. This enabled them to feel confident when two of the lessons were held at the Golf Centre. Rob was at all times professional and friendly and we would be keen to repeat the course."
Ann Tobia
Headteacher of
"The development from Beginners to Improvers courses, leading to hopefully Junior Club Members is exactly what I was hoping for as my job is to help children find a "niche" that they are good at or enjoy. The fact that so many (18/22 pupils) have continued with their golf is a testament to you and I would say that the link between Two Mile Ash School and Abbey Hill Golf Centre has really been cemented well.
The pupils who are at present doing the "Improvers" Course are constantly coming to tell me how well they are doing and how much they are looking forward to going on the Par 3 course. They are excited and asking for golf presents for Christmas.
Your contact with me has been excellent and I'm sure that when the new beginners course starts after half term there will be a big uptake. It looks as if this Club / School Link is going to be a really good one and I thank you for all your support and professionalism."
Shirley
Two Mile Ash
"David Armour has provided Golf tuition to the pupils at Caroline Haslett Primary School, Shenley Lodge, for many years. He has a wonderful range of equipment that is used to great effect, teaching skills to children aged 7 -11. I have no hesitation in recommending schools and clubs to participate in the courses and festivals that David offers.
His positive attitude encourages children to be successful."
Pam Blanchard
PLT Caroline Haslett Primary School.
"We have participated in golf lessons at Abbey Hill Golf Centre for the past 3 months, since our first session our skills have progressed dramatically. We have covered all areas of the game and have been able to test our ability out on the golf course. Rob is a very good instructor as we have improved enormously. This is a very good experience and one which we will hope to continue for the rest of the year"
(Radcliffe School 6th Form Students)
