In October, 2013 The Professional Golfers’ Association contacted Greg Lynch, founder of the GL GOLF Academy and asked to run an article on the success of his junior golf and introducing new players to the game – the article was then published in the PGA’s trade magazine, “The PGA Professional”, in the December issue.
Within the article Greg comments on how he has built up his junior academy, “I have a great relationship with the Golf Foundation (a charity committed to giving children and young people the opportunity to experience golf and the benefits it has to offer) who have provided me with funding to deliver taster sessions to a number of schools in the local area, alongside other funded projects. These taster sessions have proved hugely successful in allowing me to form after school clubs and develop better relationships in the local community”.
The PGA also write about how Greg has been proactive in securing different pockets of funding through initiatives like the ‘Premier League 4 Sport programme involving local premier league football teams. Greg contacted Aston Villa FC and as a result of this he now delivers golf for a school in Birmingham which will continue for the whole calender year!
Aside the Golf Foundation and Premier League 4 Sport Greg has also secured funding through the Sportivate programme, which is a legacy of the 2012 Olympic Games which will assist Greg and his academy in introducing golf to new golfers aged 11-25 years old; and in January 2014 Greg will begin a year long coaching project on behalf of the Birmingham Golf Development Partnership.
“The key to all of this is being aware of what opportunities are out there and how can I utilise them to assist me in growing my junior academy back at the golf club.” says Greg
Greg adds, “For example, the Sportivate project allows me to apply for up to £3,000 in funding. This means once this is secured we will be able to double the amount of schools we are currently coaching in and increase the amount of children we see. We will also ensure there is an attractive exit route available to the children if they wish to carry on with their golf at our junior academy.”
From these projects and other initiatives the GL GOLF Academy has expanded dramatically during the 2013 season and has brought many new adult golfers into the game too. Many parents of these children decided to ‘give golf a go’ and this has grown to become the USP of the academy.
Please email info@glgolfacademy for a full list of upcoming opportunities to ‘give golf a go’!
