Junior golf on offer at Stonelees

Stonelees Golf Centre

Youngsters wanting to try golf for the first time can join a new coaching course being run by Stonelees Golf Centre.

It follows the decision by Kent Golf Union to choose Stonelees as one of five venues across the county worthy of receiving the union’s “Approved Junior Academy” award.

Gary Bason, the PGA head coach at Stonelees, said: “The whole point of the Approved Junior Academy scheme is that it is designed to encourage more kids to have a go at golf.”

The course runs until July with the participants receiving four one-hour coaching sessions, either on a Wednesday evening or Saturday afternoon, plus  one two-hour session for  £25. Gary added: “It’s open to anyone under the age of 18 and most of the kids who have joined up so far are beginners. athat’s exactly what the KGU want because they are trying to take away the elitist and expensive perception which surrounds golf and instead make it more affordable and fun.

“You haven’t got to turn up for the course wearing golfing gear or with any clubs, you can wear what you like and we’ll provide the clubs. There will be some fun games on the putting green and driving range and it will all take place in a very relaxed atmosphere.”

Gary, who lives in Sandwich, has been the head coach at Stonelees for nearly two years and believes the Ebbsfleet Lane centre, which will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in May, is the ideal venue for such a scheme.

He said: “We’ve got all the right facilities here. There’s a lovely little par-three course plus two other nine-hole courses, a short game practice area, driving range, putting range and an indoor golf simulator so we can give the kids the chance to experience everything that golf has got to offer.”

For more details, or to book a place, email Gary at: [email protected] or go to the Kent Golf Union website at: www.kentgolf.org