In an exciting year of golf for the British Isles, with The Ryder Cup taking place at Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland, Claydon School in Suffolk has embraced the benefits of golf and given its pupils the opportunity to attend two events on The European Tour calendar closer to home as well setting up its very own StreetGolf Club.
In May, pupils and staff travelled to Wentworth to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the Pro-Am event held on the Wednesday before the start of the BMW PGA Championship, The European Tour’s flagship event which was eventually won by Rory McIlroy.
Two students from Claydon School were lucky enough to receive a tour of the media centre and to sit in the interview chair a few hours before McIlroy’s preview interview.
On Friday, more students were given the chance to attend the European Senior Tour event held at Stoke by Nayland Golf Club, where they received a coaching clinic from five of the players competing in the event.
George Ryall, Rick Gibson, Gordon Manson, Bob Cameron and Graeme Bell all gave up an hour of their valuable practice time to instruct and inspire the players of the future.
Commenting on the unique opportunity for his pupils to meet and work with the players, PE teacher Andy Wilshaw said: “The students absolutely loved it and were talking about it all the way home and the following week – a big thank you to the Golf Foundation for organising it.
“The exciting part of the project now begins with the creation of a StreetGolf Club at the school supported by the PGA Coaches from Bramford Golf Centre. Taster sessions have been given to over 500 pupils and so far 20 students have signed up for the regular club where they will design and play their own challenges on the school site using the adapted StreetGolf equipment and golf balls.”
The development of golf in schools with links to local clubs is being supported by the Golf Foundation. Regional Development Officer for the East Region, Katie Moggan, added: “Claydon High School has really embraced the opportunities for their pupils to watch and get involved in playing golf.
“To run taster sessions for over 500 pupils and work closely with Bramford Golf Centre is really impressive. The purpose of StreetGolf is to bring golf to the young people so I am sure that Claydon’s StreetGolf Club will be a big success and ensure that more young people take up the game.”
