Norwood Park wins National Recognition

NorwoodNorwood Park Golf Centre in Nottinghamshire has been recognised as one of the country's most welcoming clubs.

Their excellent record of attracting and encouraging new golfers and juniors has helped to make Norwood Park the joint runner-up in England Golf's prestigious 2014 GolfMark Club of the Year award, supported by COBRA PUMA GOLF.

Their success was announced at an awards dinner and Norwood Park general manager Paul Thornton commented: "This is fantastic. Paul, who also chairs the Nottinghamshire Golf Partnership, went on: "We're a young club, only 15 years old and always set out to be a very friendly, welcoming place where everyone is equal. It is a real team effort at the centre and we try very hard to put development at the heart of all we do"

GolfMark is an England Golf initiative, which recognises junior and beginner-friendly clubs. This award, now in its sixth
year, applauds GolfMark clubs which have made an outstanding and innovative contribution to developing the game.

Norwood Park, which holds a High Achiever GolfMark, has bucked the national trend and has increased its membership over the past two years and increased participation. It offers a complete pathway for beginner golfers with a driving range, Par 3 academy course and 18-hole course.

It's a Get into Golf centre for the Nottinghamshire Golf Partnership, offering low-cost structured coaching as part of a national campaign to inspire more people to take up the game.

Norwood Park has close links with local schools which have helped to create a flourishing junior section with about 70 members. The club is also working hard to encourage girls to play golf through numerous initiatives and currently has an impressive 15 girl members, all under the age of 16.

The members are very supportive of efforts to encourage new golfers; three former junior memb ers have recently taken their Level 1 volunteer coaching courses and now support the club's PGA professionals. In addition, Norwood Park offers a range of flexible memberships options.

The GolfMark Club of the Year awards were announced last night at a gala dinner at the England Golf County Development Conference at Staverton Park in Northamptonshire. The winner was Cookridge Hall Golf Club, Leeds, and the co-runners-up were Strawberry Hill Golf Club in London.

Richard Flint, Club Services and Development Director for England Golf, commented: "Norwood Park Golf Centre are to be congratulated for their flexible, welcoming approach to attracting and retaining new golfers.

"England Golf continues to invest in resources, such as GolfMark and their County Golf Partnership network, to ensure golf clubs can benefit to maximum effect."

Sir John Starkey, Owner Norwood Park GC says:

"I am personally delighted with the outstanding contribution that has has been recognised by England Golf to the Norwood Team.
To come runner-up in the Golf mark Club of the year 2014 is a testament to all the hard work from the staff especially over the past 4 years, when a new management structure was introduced
I and my family are thrilled that so many new golfers of all ages have been introduced to the great game of golf here in the wonderful setting at Norwood Park, with a special mention to the many new Ladies & Girls who PGA Coach Richard Strange has encouraged via numerous coaching initiatives. Golf is a game for the whole family across the generations and I am so delighted with our achievements so far "