Sport
New2Golf campaign targets women
GOLF DEVELOPMENT Wales has launched its fresh look 2016 New2Golf, Back2Golf scheme which will see women, families and couples given exciting incentives to give-golfa- go or get back into the sport again.
A successful initiative that saw 1600 New2Golf members in 2015, with 55% of those being female, this year the focus is on those who may not have been exposed to the wider benefits of golf.
Women will be encouraged to go along to their local participating club with ‘the girls’ to enjoy the social element of the sport while receiving free taster sessions and low cost group fun lessons. Encouraging Women to utilise their local golf club to catch up with friends and meet new people.
Families will have the opportunity to learn golf and play a few holes all together in a relaxed environment. They can then enjoy a family meal in the clubhouse after and couples will be incentivised to learn, play together then dine together, introducing the other half to golf in a relaxed and enjoyable way.
Golf clubs around the country will be offering free taster sessions and /or low cost, fun, group lessons to give beginner or lapsed golfers the opportunity to get involved with golf. The sport provides a relaxed way of having fun with family or friends, meeting new people and keeping physically active in the fresh air, whatever your age, background or ability.
Welsh Golf professional Amy Boulden is enthusiastic about the initiative: “If women can get together with friends and like minded females in a comfortable environment like their local golf club, wouldn’t it be fantastic if they then gave golf a go and they too could fall in love with a fantastically social game for life.
“Golf has been such an enjoyable social experience for me from the moment I picked up my first club when I was only five years old,” she added.
“I’ve made some fantastic lifelong friendships that I never expected would come from the sport that I love.
“The focus on encouraging women to go to their local golf club without having to provide their own equipment is so important.
“This campaign will expose women to golf who may not have considered the game before. I’d say, go along with friends, enjoy each others company, have a catch up, just wear some flat shoes and give it a go.”
Back2Golf month schemes are funded by Golf Development Wales and supported by the R&A, the governing body of the sport. 2015 saw over 60 clubs run New2Golf with clubs offering excellent deals to encourage people to take up the sport for life. Examples of some of the opportunities open to new and lapsed golfers include low cost beginner coaching, trial membership, green fee and membership offers. All of these offers are designed to introduce people to the game in a relaxed and enjoyable way.
Director of Development, Golf Union Wales, Hannah McAllister added: “Clubs across Wales will be developing some excellent initiatives to allow people to take up and remain in the sport. Golf is a very accessible sport, great value for money and sessions are delivered in a fun and engaging way”.
As part of the beginner scheme’s participants will gain aNew2Golf welcome pack, which includes vouchers for: discounted lessons, a free opportunity to bring a friend or family member to a lesson, equipment, as well as, fun introductory information plus more. The scheme welcomed over 1600 New2Golf members in 2015 with over 55% of those being female.
Although for everyone, the 2016 New2Golf Back2Golf campaign will be focused on attracting some key groups including Women and Girls. Providing an opportunity for women to take up the sport is a high priority for many clubs across Wales. Evidence released has shown that women’s golf is one of the largest growth markets and with 55% of New2Golf members being female this is certainly being proven as correct.
“These groups have been identified as key areas of growth for the game of golf. We have seen some amazing ladies scheme’s in the past including afternoon tea, social events, hair and beauty sessions to name just a few”. McAllister said.
To find a scheme in west Wales please visit the link below. Participating clubs will be added in the run up to April and throughout the year or to register your interest in beginner sessions individually or as a group please contact [email protected].
http://www.golfdevelopmentwales. org/find-a-beginner-session/
Sport
Fox’s Fantastic Clarby shock the county to win Senior Cup
Strong favourites Goodwick United were expected by many to be lifting the senior cup again come Saturday afternoon. However Clarbeston Road had other ideas, we warned they were a dangerous opponent with pressure off, this proved to be the case.
A healthy crowd at the Bridge Meadow were treated to an excellent final, often cagey perhaps boring affairs this final was far from boring. It took just seven minutes for the deadlock to be broken when Clarby captain Rheinallt George put the underdogs ahead. However just before the twenty minute mark his opposite number in Scott Delaney squared things up with a trademark header.
Goodwick then took the lead when another set piece caused problems for Clarby who failed to deal with a free kick before Rhys Dalling latched onto the loose ball to volley his team into the lead. However the lead was short lived as the impressive Jake Booth found the net at the second time of asking to make it all square at the break.
Halfway through the second half another set piece led to the equaliser when Matthew Davies headed home a Laurie Haworth corner. Goodwick manager O’Sullivan rung the changes in search of a way to find an equaliser. Newly introduced striker Nathan Greene was fouled in the box and Rhys Jones had the chance to level the cup final, however Rhys Mansell had other ideas and he saved the penalty. The save gave his team a huge boast and belief that this could be their day, and indeed it was.
Most of the season we have hyped up the quality and character of this Clarby team and praised Matthew Fox and his players. Fox has done a excellent job and this is just rewards, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Clarby began this cup run by beating Hakin who have dominated this cup for so many years. An excellent achievement for all involved and an interesting plot going into next season, will Clarby be able to challange Goodwick in the league also.
For Goodwick it’ll be a bitterly disappointing defeat in a season of such dominance just the one trophy will be the least most expected from this quality side. Many thought Goodwick would win the treble and they were certainly capable, which will be the frustrating factor for the Goodwick management.
Sport
South-West Wales Athletes Aiming to Shine at the Summer Olympics
Two of the finest athletes in south-west Wales are dreaming about bringing home medals from the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Track cyclist Emma Finucane and sailing star Micky Beckett will head to France in a buoyant mood after enjoying a successful build-up to their respective events.
Welsh athletes collected a record-equalling 11 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Games and hopes are high that the tally could be beaten this year.
The Carmarthen-born rider cemented her rapid rise up the sprint ranks by winning a gold medal at the 2023 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Glasgow.
She became Great Britain’s first women’s sprint world champion since Becky James in 2013 and is now on track to chase more medals at the Olympics across three events.
The 21-year-old has yearned to compete at the Summer Games since watching Team GB sparkle at London 2012 and she is eager to make her mark this summer.
“It’s a massive dream of mine and it’s pretty cool that I’m kind of living my dream,” Finucane said. “I’m just trying to enjoy the journey and hopefully I’ll get selected and compete for my country.
“And it’s exciting because as the Team GB women’s sprint. I feel like we’re in a really good place to do well at the Olympics, not just compete as Olympians.”
Pembrokeshire-born sailor Beckett will also head to Paris with his sights firmly set on winning gold in the hugely competitive ILCA 7 class.
He will renew rivalries with Australian Matt Wearn, who controversially claimed the World Championship title ahead of Hermann Tomasgaard and Beckett earlier this year.
Online bookmakers rate Wearn as the favourite to emerge victorious this summer, but Beckett’s recent form gives him every chance of turning the tables.
Several new sports betting sites in Australia cut the Welsh sailor’s Olympic odds after he completed a trio of World Cup successes at a recent event in Palma.
Beckett believes the hard work he has done over the past few months gives him every chance of toppling Wearn when the action gets underway this summer.
“There is still plenty of work to do and managing form is probably the most important thing of any athlete’s job,” Beckett said. “There is no point being the best in the world unless you are the best in the world when it counts.
Sport
Kilgetty and Carew Share Spoils in End-of-Season Showdown
In the picturesque setting of Kilgetty, under the soft glow of the evening sun, local football fans were treated to an enticing clash between Kilgetty and Carew in the Pembrokeshire League Division 1. With the season winding down, both sides took to the pitch amidst numerous squad rotations, following a hectic week of multiple fixtures.
The match kicked off in a leisurely pace, resembling more of an end-of-season friendly than a fierce competition. Kilgetty seized the early initiative, with the trio of Josh Bevan, Richard Tebbut, and Richard Cope causing headaches for the Carew defense, skillfully led by Gareth Lewis. It was Jac Waters who broke the deadlock for the home side, putting Kilgetty ahead 1-0 as the first half came to a close.
However, Carew emerged revitalised after the break, with Jonty Bennett, James Hinchcliffe, and Zac Rowell putting in the hard yards to level the score. The introduction of Harvey Drummond for the ineffective Sam Christopher added further depth to Carew’s attacking prowess, culminating in an equaliser courtesy of the excellent Hinchcliffe.
As tensions rose, the game took on a newfound intensity, marked by needless bookings, after a clearly offside goal and a few heated moments on the field. Despite the fatigue evident from their recent fixture congestion, both teams showcased their competitive spirit, treating the fans to an entertaining second half.
In the end, neither side could break the deadlock, with Kilgetty and Carew having to settle for a well-fought 1-1 draw. While neither team was at their absolute best, the match provided a fitting conclusion to their respective seasons.
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