Beaty sessions prove popular

LINING UP: Nick Jolley (right) of Radclyffe School, Chadderton, prepares to swing under the guidance of Martin Beaty (centre). Fellow pupils (left to right) Matthew Bushell, Matthew Nicholls, Billy Clarke and Liam Eadsforth look on.

CROMPTON and Royton assistant professional Martin Beaty is spreading the golfing gospel in local schools.

Beaty has begun weekly coaching sessions at Radclyffe and Our Lady’s and has already identified youngsters with talent and potential.

It is part of an initiative to broaden the appeal of the sport as it bids to shed its elitist image of yesteryear.

And to help take golf to a wider circle, Crompton and Royton have received grant aid through the Golf Foundation and Schools Sports Foundation.

Beaty works with 50 boys and girls from years seven, eight and nine at each school.

And at the end of the summer term, the children showing most promise are to be invited to High Barn to test their skills on a proper course.

“I have been surprised by the popularity and the kids love it,” explained Beaty.

He is also coaching young players at Crompton and Royton where he teaches them from an early age saying he has a couple of eight-year-olds under his wing who are showing great promise.

Beaty works with Xtreme Kits, which are plastic clubs, for youngsters aged between five and 10 years, and Tri-Golf equipment for those aged 11 to 14 years.