The golf in schools programme which is a joint initiative between Guernsey Sports Commission, Ray Lowe Sporting Foundation and Guernsey Golf Union was set up in 2019 with the aim of introducing young players to the sport in a fun environment. A set of six sessions are delivered by the professionals from the different clubs around the Island to all the state primary schools on Guernsey.
Evan Le Huray aged 12, was introduced to the game when he was at Vale school and he enjoyed the golf PE classes so much that his parents got in touch with the professional team at RGGC and Evan signed up for the modular programme which includes group coaching and playing on the course at the end of each term. Evan’s Dad Mat seeing his son’s enthusiasm for golf, started to take an interest too and began coming down to the club and hitting balls with him. They then decided to join the club together this year and have been enjoying playing and practicing ever since.
Phil Sykes whose team deliver the programme at Vale junior school said: “The golf in schools programme has been a great way of introducing a new generation of children to golf. There are so many sports on offer to youngsters in the Island and whilst we would love to see more juniors playing the game, all the evidence shows that children who have been introduced to golf at an early age are more likely to come back to it when they are older. That’s why we need to take a long term view with this project to see the real benefits in the future”.
There was further evidence of the success of the programme when we welcomed four new youngsters at the weekend from La Grande Mare to play in the St David’s cup, their first blue tee competition. This group of children attend La Houguette and all were introduced to golf as part of their PE curriculum.
We wish Evan and Mat an enjoyable and successful time at the club and look forward to seeing them and more new players out on the course soon.
