Is a casual facility required to help grow golf participation?

Ican’t help but feel Palmerston North is really missing an ideal public golf facility for the casual golfer, and in particular, our younger generation.

Without that ‘‘casual’’ facility, a large proportion of our population is potentially not being exposed to playing the game, who may otherwise be open to giving it a go.

And this may well have longterm consequences for club membership numbers.

Golf City and Brookfields Park previously catered for this market, but both have now closed, and not for reasons of popularity.

They provided a casual, relaxed golfing environment, and would have attracted greater participation numbers when they existed, plus more young players introduced to the game.

While our city clubs have junior programmes, are supportive of junior golfers, and allow for casual play at certain times, barriers and perceptions exist, which limits participation at club courses.

Many young adults and students wish to play golf with mates without the feeling of every move being critiqued by an uptight club member.

And clubs typically have limited course availability at high demand times, such as weekends, when casual players are most likely wanting to play.

My vision for a facility in Palmerston North is one which is very welcoming, new player and family friendly, affordable and relevant to the younger generation.

It would cater also for derivatives of the game such as footgolf, frisbee golf, snag golf, mini putt, pitch and putt etc.

Players would not be required to fit around member only events, the dress code would be relaxed, music playing, and everyone would be having fun, fun, fun. It would be like the Disneyland of golf.

The new Orlando Country Club near the boundary of the city is a fantastic nine-hole facility, but they are conscious of protecting their main corporate target market.

It is open to casual players, but at a price that may deter some.

Orlando is well designed, has quality playing surfaces, a covered range and cafe facilities. But it has not been built to replace Golf City or Brookfields.

The question I ponder is whether a viable opportunity for a facility, which provides for the true casual and young golfer market, still exists for our city?

I believe we need it if we are to grow participation. The junior boys and girls Interprovincial teams will be off to their respective tournaments in Cambridge and Rotorua during the upcoming school holidays.

Both teams feature new names in this year’s lineups.

The boys team is: Liam Finlayson (Feilding), Greg Shaw (Manawatu), Jayden Hunter (Feilding), Jamie Connell, Campbell McHugh, Kaleb Idemaru (all Manawatu), Anthony IltonMaher (Foxton) and Bradley McSherry (Palmerston North).

The girls’ team is: Katherine Paskins (Palmerston North), Tara Raj (Wanganui), Mudra Lakhani (Manawatu), Dana Garrett (Wanganui), Rose Wu and Emily Rose (both Manawatu).

Another three players, Fergus Smith (Wanganui), Sam Smith (Manawatu) and Kyra Garett (Wanganui), will be heading to Dunedin to compete in the Eagles national under-17 championships. The next event on the district Order of Merit is the ManawatuWanganui 36 holes strokeplay (Challenge Cup) at Wanganui’s Castlecliff course on Sunday, September 27.

This event is open to men and women on a handicap of 24 or less.

It also acts as a trial for men’s and women’s representative teams for upcoming events.

We encourage any player keen to compete to enter at www.mwga.co.nz by this coming Monday.

The district Order of Merit leaders are: men’s gross: Regan Cording (Palmerston North), men’s net: Shay Melis (Buckley), women’s gross: Tara Raj (Wanganui), women’s net: Karen Manninen (Manawatu). On the subject of events, all golfers in the Manawatu-Wanganui district are encouraged to get out and support open events at other courses throughout the district.

We have top quality and unique courses within ManawatuWanganui, which are worth a visit.

Playing in open events is often the best way to get out and play other courses, and at the same time you are helping support these clubs.

To see what events are on, go to your club’s event noticeboard or see events listed on the www.mwga.co.nz homepage. This summer is a great time to learn to play golf and there is no better way to learn than to take part in a learn-to-play golf programme. Clubs running programmes this spring and summer include Manawatu, Feilding and Palmerston North.

So if you, a friend, or family member, would like to learn, please contact your local club to see how easy it is to get started. The learn-to-play programmes are superb value.

Programmes start very soon, so please make contact quickly to avoid missing out.