Stamford step up bid to recruit youngsters

ASSISTANT pro Richard Garside with some of the junior players.

STAMFORD professional Mark Smith is continuing a drive to recruit youngsters who are seen as the future lifeblood of the Carrbrook club.

Smith teed off Saturday morning lessons earlier this year and has seen numbers mushroom from half a dozen to 20.

And there has been an immediate spin-off with half of those attending already signing up as junior members.

Smith has been targeting youngsters between the ages of nine and 11 years and the 90-minute lessons, which cost £2 per week, include a weekly putting competition and five minutes personal tuition with each child.

He said: “When I became professional, club officials told me they wanted to start a junior section with the aim of entering a league.

“But I told them we are not going to attract a group of 16-year-olds who can already play and who are ready for competitive golf.

“It will take a number of years to build a junior section which is why I am targeting youngsters aged 9 to 11 years.”